Follow Us on Google
By Doris Obinna
Dettol Nigeria, in partnership with the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), has launched Phase 3 of the Dettol Hygiene Quest initiative, with plans to reach more than 800,000 beneficiaries across the country in 2026 through expanded hygiene education and behavioural change programmes.
The new phase of the programme was officially flagged off at Eko Akete Junior Secondary School on Lagos Island, where students participated in handwashing demonstrations, hygiene education sessions, and received Dettol antibacterial soaps and educational materials aimed at promoting healthy hygiene practices.
Implemented under the Clean Naija Initiative, the Dettol Hygiene Quest programme seeks to improve hygiene standards among Nigerian schoolchildren and communities. The broader initiative aims to reach six million schoolchildren by 2030, increase handwashing rates by 20 per cent, reduce diarrhoea cases by 10 per cent, and lower school absenteeism associated with hygiene-related illnesses.
The organisers disclosed that since its inception, the programme has impacted more than 440,000 beneficiaries across 716 schools, 36 healthcare facilities and 456 communities nationwide. “Through lessons on handwashing, cleanliness and healthy living, it has promoted lifelong hygiene habits among children, mothers, families and community members.
“Building on these achievements, Phase 3 is expected to reach more than 750,000 students and 90,000 pregnant and new mothers through targeted hygiene education and awareness campaigns. The initiative will also continue to promote proper handwashing and the use of trusted hygiene products to help prevent hygiene-related illnesses.”
Speaking, Head of External Affairs, Media and Partnerships at Reckitt, Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, represented by Dettol Brand Manager Toluwase Abikoye, said the company remained committed to instilling healthy habits in children from an early age.
“At Reckitt, we understand that when children learn healthy habits early, those habits can create a lasting impact far beyond the classroom. That is why programmes like the Dettol Hygiene Quest remain important to us,” she said.
She noted that a third-party evaluation of Phase 2 recorded significant improvements in health outcomes among participating students. According to the findings, reported cases of communicable disease symptoms declined by 9.3 per cent in Abuja, 12.3 per cent in Lagos and 15.7 percentage points in Kwara State. The evaluation also showed corresponding reductions in illness-related school absenteeism.
“As we commence Phase 3 of the programme, we remain committed to empowering even more children and families with the knowledge they need to lead healthier lives,” Abikoye added.
In her remarks, President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Princess Toyin Ojora Saraki, represented by Dr Osinachi Onyeoziri, Director of Programming and Reporting at the foundation, underscored the importance of hygiene education in improving health and educational outcomes.
“The future of Nigeria depends on children, their health, education, confidence and ability to grow into responsible leaders. But for this to happen, staying healthy matters,” she said.
She added that the foundation remained committed to improving health, wellbeing, education and hygiene outcomes for children, women and families across Nigeria.
The event concluded with students leaving equipped with practical hygiene knowledge and encouraged to serve as ambassadors of healthy habits within their schools, homes and communities, reinforcing the programme’s objective of rising a generation of hygiene-conscious Nigerians.
