By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi
International development organization, Self Help Africa, SHA has launched its 2024 Global Hand washing Campaign in Nigeria, focusing on youth engagement to drive awareness about hand hygiene.
The campaign, following a digital launch on October 15, 2024, is centered on the theme “Why Are Clean Hands Still Important?” and aims to empower young Nigerians to champion hygiene practices in their communities.
Addressing a media briefing for the Global Handwashing Day Campaign, in Abuja Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo noted that hand hygiene is a fundamental component of public health.
Represented by Director of Water Supply, Mr. Babarinde Segun Mukaila, stated that the Ministry remains committed to strengthening water, sanitation, and hygiene, WASH infrastructure and policy implementation.
He explained that WASH is crucial not only for preventing diseases but also for advancing health outcomes, reducing poverty, and supporting economic growth
Mukaila disclosed that the Ministry’s Youth WASH programme, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, aims to engage young people as change agents.
He explained that the programme integrates optimal WASH practices into grassroots advocacy to reach underserved communities.
He also highlighted the ongoing “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign,” which targets ending open defecation by 2025 explaining that hand hygiene is an essential part of this initiative, combining infrastructure development with behavioral change efforts.
Meanwhile, Self Help Africa SHA’s Country Director, Joy Aderele, emphasized the vital role of youth in the campaign, stating, “With 63% of Nigeria’s population under 25, young people represent a significant opportunity to inspire behavior change and promote public health.”
This youth-centered approach aligns with the National Youth WASH Strategy, which leverages the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to spread the handwashing message at the grassroots level.
Highlighting the urgency of the campaign, Aderele explained that unclean hands contribute to 80% of germ transmission from contaminated surfaces. In Nigeria, hand hygiene is crucial due to the high prevalence of hygiene-related diseases like diarrhea and cholera.
According to the 2021 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASH NORM) report, fewer than a third of Nigerians practice proper handwashing, indicating the need for significant improvements.
Aderele added that SHA’s contributions to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs over the past 25 years and has impacted nearly 4,000 communities across Nigeria. One of the organization’s notable achievements was facilitating Nigeria’s first Open Defecation Free (ODF) Local Government Area LGA in Obanliku, Cross River State. Through the campaign, SHA aims to reinforce the message that handwashing is an effective, affordable measure to prevent diseases and improve livelihoods.
The current campaign is supported by SHA’s WASH Systems for Health program, funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, FCDO. Partnering with the Federal Ministries of Youth and Water Resources, NYSC, and private sector stakeholders such as Sterling One Foundation and Seven Up Bottling Company, the campaign seeks to leverage youth leadership to promote sustainable health practices.
Furthermore, speaking on the campaign, Dr. Chidera Chukwu, Health Adviser at FCDO, pointed out that while 99% of Nigerians know when to wash their hands, only 8% practice proper hand hygiene.
He urged Nigerian youth, especially NYSC members, to become “hygiene champions” in their communities. Chukwu expressed optimism that the WASH Systems for Health program would help operationalize the National Youth WASH Strategy.
Additionally, the campaign’s digital launch featured an Instagram Live session with Nigerian health influencer Aproko Doctor and Shadrack Shaaperaga Guusu, Head of WASH Programmes at SHA, reaching thousands of young Nigerians.
As part of the campaign, SHA engaged key government officials including Minister of Youth Engr. Ayodele Olawande expressed his support for the campaign.
Engr. Olawande noted that the NYSC platform offers a unique opportunity to engage youth in promoting WASH practices. “The launch of the strategy at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Abuja was symbolic, recognizing the potential of corps members to impact grassroots communities positively.” He said.
However, SHA team noted that the campaign’s activities include handwashing challenges on social media and a three-day event at an NYSC camp in November.
The event will feature a WASH Hackathon, drama competitions, and a WASH Music Festival, where corps members will participate alongside celebrity ambassadors and a top Nigerian artist. These engaging activities aim to make handwashing advocacy entertaining and impactful.
The Global Handwashing Campaign will conclude on World Toilet Day, November 19, with a final call to action for all Nigerians to embrace daily hand hygiene practices to protect public health.
