# Nigeria: Handwashing Campaign Targets Cholera and Diphtheria

> Nigeria's environment minister launches nationwide handwashing campaign to combat cholera and diphtheria amid rising disease risks.
- Title: Nigeria: Handwashing Campaign Targets Cholera and Diphtheria
- Summary: Nigeria's environment minister launches nationwide handwashing campaign to combat cholera and diphtheria amid rising disease risks. Nigeria's environment…
- Keywords: nigeria, cholera, diphtheria, handwashing, environment minister, balarabe abbas lawal, federal government, wash programs, united nations sustainable development g, global handwashing day, news, world
- Source: Allafrica — https://allafrica.com/stories/202610200506.html
- Published: 2026-10-20T12:25:57+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nigeria, cholera, diphtheria, handwashing, environment minister, balarabe abbas lawal, federal government, wash programs, united nations sustainable development g, global handwashing day, news, world
## Nigeria launches handwashing campaign
The Federal Government called for a nationwide handwashing campaign to curb infectious diseases including cholera and diphtheria.
## Minister emphasizes hygiene importance
Environment Minister Balarabe Abbas Lawal described hand hygiene as a public health imperative requiring collective responsibility.
## Handwashing prevents diseases
Proper handwashing with soap and running water prevents cholera, typhoid fever, diphtheria and other communicable diseases.
## Hygiene reduces disease risk
Global health estimates show handwashing reduces diarrhoeal diseases by up to 50 percent and respiratory infections by nearly 25 percent.
## Access to clean water needed
Handwashing benefits remain limited without access to clean water, sanitation facilities and functional handwashing stations.
## Government commits to WASH programs
The Federal Government remains committed to implementing water, sanitation and hygiene programs under President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
## Link to UN Sustainable Development Goals
Improved hygiene supports UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 on health and well-being and Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation.
## Water-efficient solutions urged
Communities should adopt affordable water-efficient handwashing technologies like tippy taps in areas with limited water supplies.
## Youth encouraged to promote hygiene
Young Nigerians are challenged to use creativity and social media to promote handwashing among peers and communities.
## Schools to prioritize handwashing
Schools that prioritize handwashing can protect pupils, reduce illnesses and minimize education disruptions.
## Daily handwashing practices urged
Nigerians are urged to wash hands before eating, after using toilets, handling waste and contact with others.
## Key takeaway

Nigeria's environment minister urges nationwide handwashing to prevent cholera and diphtheria, linking hygiene to public health goals.