From Hygiene Education to Access: Here’s How Reckitt Is Improving Hygiene in Nigeria
Handwashing is essential to preventing illness, but consistent hygiene also depends on access to clean water, soap and adequate sanitation. Through Dettol's hygiene education programmes and Reckitt's wider partnerships, the company is supporting efforts to address these needs in Nigeria.
Source: UGC
As the world marks Global Handwashing Day 2026 under the theme “Be a Handwashing Hero,” here are five ways their initiatives are contributing to healthier communities.
1. Reaching More Than 1.2 Million Children and Mothers Through Hygiene Programmes
Since 2021, Reckitt has reached more than 1.2 million children and mothers in Nigeria through the Dettol Hygiene Quest and New Mums Hygiene Programme. These initiatives provide practical hygiene education to help children, mothers, and families adopt healthier habits at home, in schools, and across communities.
2. Promoting Healthier School Environments Through Hygiene Education
Dettol's hygiene education initiatives help students understand how germs spread and how proper handwashing can reduce infection risk.
Following hygiene interventions, reported reductions in communicable disease among students were recorded across three locations:
- Abuja: 34%
- Kwara: 22%
- Lagos: 16%
Source: UGC
These findings highlight the potential contribution of hygiene interventions to healthier school environments.
3. Expanding Access to Water and Sanitation
Through its partnership with Water.org, Reckitt reached 8,900 people through initiatives supporting improved access to water and sanitation. The partnership addresses practical barriers that can prevent households from maintaining good hygiene.
4. Supporting Financing and Local Solutions for Sanitation
The cost of water connections, toilets and other sanitation facilities can limit access for households and small businesses. Through its partnership with Water.org, Reckitt has supported efforts to expand financing for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) solutions. Proposed initiatives include:
- ₦1 billion proposed financing to expand access to WASH loans through Sterling Bank.
- 35% to 24% expected reduction in lending rates, making WASH financing more affordable.
- US$200,000 proposed guarantee to support expanded sanitation lending through LAPO Microfinance Bank.
Beyond financing, Reckitt Catalyst has supported local solutions to sanitation challenges. MN Environmental Services, an enterprise supported by Reckitt Catalyst, recently commissioned a modular public sanitation facility in Lagos, expected to serve more than 30,000 commuters monthly.
5. Backing Social Entrepreneurs With Over ₦85 Million in Seed Funding
Since Reckitt Catalyst launched in Nigeria in 2023, it has supported more than 10 social entrepreneurs with over ₦85 million in seed funding. The funding supports locally developed solutions addressing health, hygiene and sanitation challenges, helping entrepreneurs respond to community needs.
Source: UGC
Building Healthier Communities
As Global Handwashing Day 2026 highlights the importance of everyday hygiene, Dettol's programmes and Reckitt's wider initiatives demonstrate how education, access to essential services, financing and local innovation can contribute to healthier communities. Being a Handwashing Hero means more than knowing when to wash your hands. It means building good habits, supporting access and encouraging others to make hygiene part of everyday life.
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Source: Legit.ng
