By Chioma Obinna

One of Nigeria’s leading hygiene company, Reckitt and the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, WBFA, have launched Phase 3 of the Dettol Hygiene Quest initiative, with plans to reach more than 800,000 Nigerians through expanded hygiene education and behavioural change campaigns in 2026.

The new phase of the programme, unveiled in Lagos, will target over 750,000 schoolchildren and about 90,000 pregnant women and new mothers as part of efforts to improve handwashing culture, reduce hygiene-related diseases and promote healthier communities nationwide.

The organisers said the initiative, implemented under the Clean Naija Initiative, is also aimed at increasing handwashing rates, reducing diarrhoea cases and cutting school absenteeism linked to poor hygiene practices.

The flag-off ceremony, held at Eko Akete Junior Secondary School, Lagos Island, featured interactive handwashing demonstrations and hygiene education sessions for students, who also received Dettol antibacterial soaps and educational materials.Since its inception, the programme has impacted over 440,000 beneficiaries across 716 schools, 36 healthcare facilities and 456 communities nationwide.

Speaking during the launch, Head of External Affairs, Media and Partnerships at Reckitt, Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, represented by Brand Manager for Dettol, Toluwase Abikoye, said the programme was helping to instill lifelong healthy habits among children and families.

“At Reckitt, we understand that when children learn healthy habits early, those habits can create a lasting impact far beyond the classroom,” she said.

She disclosed that findings from an independent assessment of Phase 2 showed significant reductions in communicable disease symptoms and school absenteeism among participating pupils.

“A third-party evaluation of Phase 2 showed that reported cases of communicable disease symptoms among students declined by 9.3 per cent in Abuja, 12.3 per cent in Lagos, and 15.7 percentage points in Kwara,” she stated.

“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.”

President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Princess Toyin Ojora Saraki, represented by Dr. Osinachi Onyeoziri, Director of Programming and Reporting, stressed the importance of hygiene education in safeguarding children’s health and future.

“The future of Nigeria depends on children, their health, education, confidence, and ability to grow into responsible leaders,” she said.

According to her, healthy children learn better, thrive better and contribute more meaningfully to national development.

Organisers added that the initiative would continue to strengthen awareness around proper handwashing and healthy hygiene practices through school, healthcare and community engagements across the country.