UNICEF urges investment in hand washing, revealing only 35% of Nigerian schools have facilities and just 8% of citizens practise proper hygiene

UNICEF urges investment in hand washing infrastructure and hygiene education, warning that millions of Nigerians remain exposed to preventable diseases due to poor hygiene access, particularly in schools.

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During a media mission to Borno State on Wednesday as part of activities marking the 2025 Global Handwashing Day, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed that only 35 per cent of schools in Nigeria have basic hand washing facilities, while just 8 per cent of the population can demonstrate proper techniques.

UNICEF’s Officer in Charge of the Maiduguri Field Office, Dr Marie Marcos, described the statistics as alarming and called for urgent investment from the Federal Government and state authorities.

“While 99 per cent of Nigerians know when to wash their hands, only 8 per cent actually demonstrate the correct technique,” said Marcos.

She added that only 17 per cent of households have access to basic hygiene services, and in Borno State, only 14 per cent of households possess hand washing facilities with soap and water.

Despite these low figures, she noted some progress: “UNICEF, through the Borno State Government, has helped institutionalise group hand washing in 50 schools, currently protecting around 20,000 children. This is a step forward, but far from enough.”

The North-East region ranks second-lowest nationally for access to fixed hand washing points with soap and water, with just 22.1 per cent of households equipped.

Marcos emphasised that improving hygiene access is not just a health issue, but a driver of school attendance, community resilience, and workplace productivity.

In her appeal to government officials, she stated:

“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.”

Echoing this sentiment, Gana Mala, Director of Hygiene at the Borno State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, stressed the impact of hand washing on public health.

“Prioritising hand washing will significantly reduce waterborne disease, improve nutrition, and enhance overall wellbeing,” Mala said. “Let us promote hand washing with soap and water every day—not just today.”

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The event was part of UNICEF’s continued advocacy to ensure access to clean water and sanitation in line with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).