The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), in collaboration with its social impact partner Reckitt, hosted a high-level stakeholder meeting to evaluate the progress and impact of the Dettol Hygiene Quest (DHQ) Program across Lagos, Abuja, and Kwara. This initiative, an extension of Reckitt’s Dettol Clean Naija program, reinforces the company’s commitment to making quality hygiene, wellness, and nourishment accessible to everyone.
For over 12 years, Reckitt has been a leader in public health education through initiatives like the Dettol School Hygiene Program and the Dettol New Mum’s Program, educating millions of children and mothers on the importance of proper hygiene. In 2021, Reckitt launched Dettol Hygiene Quest, a structured hygiene curriculum aimed at educating six million school children by 2025. The program targets a 20% increase in handwashing habits, a 10% reduction in diarrhea-related illnesses, and a 10% decrease in school absenteeism.
Since 2022, WBFA and Reckitt’s partnership has impacted 371,919 individuals across Nigeria, including:
- 269,758 students
- 32,928 community members
- 69,233 pregnant and lactating mothers
Driving Change Through Collaboration
The stakeholder meeting, held at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja, convened government officials, health advocates, and community leaders to discuss the pivotal role of hygiene education in improving public health.
Mr. Williams Awotunde, Director of Programs and Reporting at WBFA, emphasized the broader goal:
“This is not just about teaching children how to wash their hands—it’s about instilling life-saving practices, empowering individuals, and creating a cultural shift toward health and hygiene. By integrating hygiene education into the national curriculum, we can ensure that every child, in every classroom, adopts these vital habits.”
Representing Reckitt Nigeria, Mrs. Cassandra Uzo-Ogbuh reinforced Reckitt’s dedication to public health:
“Good hygiene and sanitation practices should become a daily lifestyle to prevent the spread of diseases like diarrhea and the flu. With proper hygiene education, we can significantly reduce these preventable illnesses.”
Government and Community Support
Mr. Jamiu Tolani, Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, praised the program for fostering improved school sanitation. He called for the inclusion of hygiene education in the national curriculum, highlighting its potential to enhance academic performance and reduce absenteeism.
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Odedeji Taye, Deputy Director of the Kwara State Ministry of Education, revealed that by July 2023, the program had reached 56,000 students, nearly 50% of whom were girls. He projected that the initiative would expand to 200 schools by the end of 2024, further supporting gender equality and improving school attendance.
Traditional and community leaders also shared personal testimonies about the program’s positive impact, emphasizing how hygiene education fosters behavioral change and strengthens community engagement.
Sustaining Impact and Future Goals
Providing an in-depth overview, Mr. Kehinde Akinsola, National Program Manager of WBFA, highlighted the program’s milestones:
- Surpassing annual targets by 122%, reaching 238,235 individuals in three pilot states
- Establishing wash clubs in schools to sustain hygiene practices
- Training nurse educators to deliver interactive hygiene education
- Building hygiene ambassadors to cascade knowledge within communities
He outlined the program’s core objectives:
- Improving hygiene practices
- Reducing preventable illnesses
- Enhancing school attendance and academic performance
- Empowering communities
- Supporting sustainable development goals
- Promoting community-led initiatives
Charting the Path Forward
A panel discussion on embedding hygiene education into the national curriculum featured insights from representatives from the Ministry of Health and Education. Stakeholders agreed on the need for multi-sectoral collaboration to drive policy changes and institutionalize hygiene education nationwide.