WASH 94.9FM, Nigeria’s pioneering health radio station, has marked its first anniversary with a renewed commitment to expanding public access to reliable health information, strengthening community outreach, and fighting health misinformation.
Launched in 2024, the Lagos-based station was created to promote total wellness through health-focused programming, expert education, and a deliberate balance of entertainment. Inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, the station’s name, WASH, stands for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, reflecting its core mission of promoting holistic well-being across physical, mental, and environmental health.
In a statement made available to The Guardian, the management of WASH 94.9FM said that the past year had demonstrated the growing public demand for trusted health content. The station noted that it would remain committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
The management described health as the foundation of national development and explained that the station’s programming strategy was designed to empower individuals with knowledge that supports better decision-making around personal and community health. It added that the focus in the coming year would be on deepening community engagement, scaling up outreach activities, and ensuring that accurate health information reaches underserved populations.
The station explained that its innovative approach includes on-air telemedicine services, which offer listeners remote access to expert medical advice and encourage active participation in health and wellness.
Looking ahead, WASH 94.9FM announced plans to expand its coverage beyond Lagos and continue building strategic partnerships that support its mission of improving health literacy.
The station said it remains committed to delivering quality, engaging health content and serving as a reliable source of information in a media environment increasingly affected by misinformation.