October 15, (THEWILL) — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Nigerian government to invest in hand washing facilities to promote school attendance, community health, and workplace productivity.
Speaking on Wednesday during a media mission to schools in Borno State, as part of activities to commemorate the 2025 Global Handwashing Day, the UNICEF Officer in Charge of the Maiduguri Field Office, Marie Marcos, noted that investing in handwashing infrastructure and the hygiene education sector.
Marie noted that only 35 percent of schools have basic hand washing facilities, and only eight percent of Nigerians can properly demonstrate hand washing techniques
According to her, the Northeast region ranked second in Nigeria for households with fixed handwashing places with water and soap.
Marie said, “While 99percent of Nigerians are aware of when to wash their hands, only 8percent can demonstrate proper hand washing techniques. Only 17 percent of households have access to basic hygiene services. Only 35percent of schools have basic hand washing facilities with soap and water”
“North-East ranks second in Nigeria for low households with fixed hand washing places with water and soap, though still low nationally at 22.1 percent”, she stated.
She, however, noted that UNICEF, through the Borno state government, has supported the institutionalisation of group hand washing in 50 schools across the state, which is currently protecting about 20,000 school children.
“In Borno state, only 14 percent of households have access to hand washing facilities with soap and water. Only 20 percent of schools have basic hygiene facilities.
“UNICEF, through the Borno state government, has supported the institutionalisation of group hand washing in 50 schools, protecting about 20,000 school children, and making it a daily, structured, and school-wide practice”, she said.
While calling for proactive action, she said, “With these findings, we respectfully call on our government at both state and national levels to prioritise and increase investment in hand washing infrastructure and hygiene education in schools.”
Also speaking, the Director of Hygiene at the Borno State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Gana Mala, said that prioritising hand washing will reduce waterborne diseases, improve nutrition, and enhance overall well-being.
“Let us continue to promote hand washing with soap and water, not just, not just today, but every day. Let us work together to create a culture of hand washing that becomes a norm in our community”, she said.
