As health risks tied to poor sanitation continue to rise in Nigeria, experts and public health stakeholders are urging the country to adopt all-day hygiene protection. The message is simple: morning routines are not enough. Cleanliness needs to last beyond the first bath of the day.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), over 95 million Nigerians still do not have access to basic sanitation. Worse, more than 80 percent of the country’s markets and motor parks function without proper sanitation facilities. These environments, where millions of people interact daily, create perfect conditions for the spread of illness-causing germs.
Health professionals warn that germs don’t take breaks. They resurface throughout the day, especially in high-contact settings like schools, markets, clinics, and public transport. Traditional habits like washing hands occasionally or taking a single bath in the morning fall short in offering complete protection. Experts stress the need for consistent germ defense that keeps up with modern-day movement and contact levels.
This need has pushed innovation in hygiene products beyond just cleansing. Companies are now creating solutions that offer long-term protection against germs. One such product is Dettol Original Antibacterial Soap, which claims to kill 99.9 percent of germs and support the skin’s natural barrier for up to 12 hours.
A spokesperson from Dettol explained the thinking behind the product: Nigerians spend a large part of their day commuting, handling cash, and interacting with surfaces touched by many others. That constant exposure requires a product that works with the skin to provide extended protection.
What sets Dettol apart isn’t just the product itself, but the wider strategy. The brand has made hygiene education and community outreach a major part of its mission. From schools and clinics to homes and markets, Dettol backs its products with grassroots campaigns designed to raise awareness and make hygiene practices easy to adopt.
The company believes that while science plays a role, behavior change comes from understanding cultural habits, offering affordable solutions, and building awareness. This model of combining education with access has helped promote hygiene as a lifestyle, not just a task.
The economic cost of poor hygiene in Nigeria is also a major concern. The World Bank estimates that poor sanitation costs the country over $3 billion each year. These losses come from hospital bills, reduced productivity, school absenteeism, and income lost when people fall sick.
Development experts argue that improving hygiene access and habits isn’t just a health move, but a smart economic decision. Preventing diseases through reliable and accessible hygiene solutions can save families money and reduce the national health burden.
There is growing agreement among stakeholders that Nigeria needs to think beyond basic cleanliness. With the rise in public health challenges and limited sanitation infrastructure, the country must embrace hygiene solutions that are portable, long-lasting, and affordable.
The focus, experts say, should shift to what happens after that morning bath. Germs are everywhere, and unless protection lasts throughout the day, the risk of infection remains high. Long-lasting hygiene products, combined with nationwide education and community support, could offer Nigeria a strong path to better health and improved living standards.
