Dettol Nigeria, in partnership with The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), has officially launched Phase 3 of the Dettol Hygiene Quest initiative. This phase expands the mission to provide essential hygiene education and healthy living practices to more Nigerian children and families. The launch event took place at Eko Akete Junior Secondary School in Lagos Island, featuring interactive handwashing demonstrations and hygiene education sessions. Students received Dettol antibacterial soaps and educational materials to encourage healthy hygiene habits.
Clean Naija Initiative Goals
The Dettol Hygiene Quest programme is part of the Clean Naija Initiative, which aims to reach 6 million schoolchildren by 2030. The initiative promotes proper handwashing and hygiene education, targeting a 20% increase in handwashing rates, a 10% reduction in diarrhoea cases, and a decrease in school absenteeism linked to hygiene-related illnesses. Since its inception, the initiative has impacted over 440,000 beneficiaries across 716 schools, 36 healthcare facilities, and 456 communities nationwide, fostering lifelong hygiene habits among children, mothers, families, and community members.
Phase 3 Expansion Plans
Phase 3 builds on previous successes, taking the programme's proven model into new geographies and deepening its reach in communities with the greatest need for hygiene education. It aims to reach over 750,000 students and 90,000 pregnant and new mothers through hygiene education and behavioural change programmes. The initiative will also reinforce awareness about proper handwashing and the use of trusted hygiene solutions like Dettol Original Antibacterial Bar Soap, which helps maintain the skin's natural germ-fighting ability for up to 12 hours.
Stakeholder Comments
Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, Head of External Affairs, Media, and Partnerships at Reckitt, represented by Toluwase Abikoye, Brand Manager for Dettol, stated: “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. Through our partnership with the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, we have seen tremendous progress. A third-party evaluation of Phase 2 showed that reported cases of communicable disease symptoms among students declined by 9.3% in Abuja, 12.3% in Lagos, and 15.7% in Kwara, with corresponding reductions in school absenteeism. As we commence Phase 3, we remain committed to empowering even more children and families.”
Princess Toyin Ojora Saraki, President of WBFA, represented by Dr Osinachi Onyeoziri, Director of Programming and Reporting, highlighted the critical role of hygiene education: “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. At the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, we believe that healthy children learn better, thrive better, and build stronger futures. This belief guides our efforts to improve health, wellbeing, education, and hygiene outcomes for children, women, and families across Nigeria.”
Conclusion
The flag-off ceremony concluded with students equipped with practical hygiene knowledge and renewed confidence to champion healthy habits within their schools, homes, and communities, reinforcing the programme's broader goal of nurturing a generation of hygiene-conscious Nigerians.
