By Atiku Galadima, Maiduguri
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has restated its commitment to promoting handwashing culture in schools across Borno State as part of efforts to protect children from preventable diseases and improve their wellbeing.
This was made known by the Officer-in-Charge of UNICEF Maiduguri Field Office, Dr. Marie Marcos, during a media mission to schools in Maiduguri on Wednesday to commemorate the 2025 Global Handwashing Day.
Dr. Marcos said this year’s theme, “Be a Handwashing Hero!”, is aimed at encouraging everyone from children to community and government leaders to make handwashing a daily habit at home, in schools, workplaces, and health facilities.
She explained that handwashing with soap can reduce diarrhoeal diseases by 30 percent, respiratory infections by 20 percent, and school absenteeism by up to 57 percent. It also helps prevent outbreaks of cholera, Ebola, COVID-19, and other infectious diseases.
Dr. Marcos said UNICEF, through the Borno State Government, has supported the institutionalisation of group handwashing in 50 schools, benefiting about 20,000 pupils who now practice daily handwashing as part of their school routine.
She cited data from the 2025 WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) showing that 2 billion people globally still lack access to basic hygiene services, while 33 percent of schools have no handwashing facilities with soap and water.
In Nigeria, only 17 percent of households and 35 percent of schools have access to basic hygiene facilities, while in Borno State, just 14 percent of households and 20 percent of schools meet the standard.
Dr. Marcos commended the Borno State Government for its continued investment in children’s health and education through its 25-year Development Plan but noted that more effort is required.
“when we are investing in handwashing, we are investing in the health, dignity, and future of our children. Let us act now to make clean hands a reality for every child in Borno and across Nigeria,” she stated.