In Nigeria, hygiene is often reduced to a checklist: wash your hands, bathe daily, keep your surroundings clean. These behavioural messages, while essential, overlook the deeper, systemic realities that define everyday life for millions. Exposure to germs is near-constant, in crowded classrooms, bustling markets, overstretched hospitals, and on public transport, yet consistent tools for protection remain out of reach for many.

In a country where more than 70,000 children under five die yearly from diarrhoea linked to poor hygiene, sanitation, and unsafe water, hygiene is not merely a behavioural issue. It’s a public health imperative. It’s time to move beyond momentary actions to a hygiene revolution, one that pairs behavioural change with science-backed solutions and access for all.

Handwashing is only the first line of defense. In high-contact environments, people encounter contaminated surfaces repeatedly throughout the day, long before the next opportunity to wash. Without sustained protection, even the most disciplined hygiene routines fall short.

This is where antiseptics such as Dettol, a globally trusted hygiene brand, is helping reshape the national conversation. With a legacy rooted in trust and performance, the antiseptic continues to lead through purpose-driven innovation that responds to local realities with regular use, the brand’s antibacterial soap is said to support the skin’s natural germ fighting ability for up to 12 hours, making it a powerful hygiene ally for families navigating high-contact, resource-constrained environments. It’s a significant evolution: from short-term cleansing to providing sustained defense that adapts to how people live, not just how they should behave.

Several reports have shown that Dettol’s impact extends far beyond its formulation. Its widespread availability across economic classes makes it a household staple in homes across Nigeria. But beyond that, its ongoing investment in hygiene education, through school programmes, grassroots health campaigns, and public awareness efforts, demonstrates a commitment to systemic change. This dual approach, combining access with education, is critical to creating a lasting culture of hygiene.

In a nation where daily exposure to germs is nearly unavoidable, true progress lies not just in promoting better habits, but in delivering practical tools for continuous protection.