L-R: Head of Dentistry, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Gloria Uzoigwe; Brand Manager, Pepsodent, Lauretta Amie; President, Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Emedom Elias; Head of Corporate Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Zainab Obagun and Head of Supply Chain, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Abayomi Alli during a Press Conference to announce the celebration of the 2026 World Oral Health Day by Pepsodent in Lagos….
Unilever Nigeria, through its oral care brand Pepsodent, has unveiled a nationwide campaign aimed at improving oral hygiene habits among Nigerians.
The campaign is targeting over 50 million people with the message of brushing twice daily.
The campaign, tagged “Do the 2 – Brush Day and Night,” was launched on Monday in Lagos to mark World Oral Health Day 2026, with stakeholders including the Nigerian Dental Association and the Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria in attendance.
Head of Dental Division at the Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria, Dr. Gloria Uzoigwe, said the campaign aligns with government efforts to integrate oral health into primary healthcare.
She noted that the ministry, in collaboration with Unilever, has carried out oral health education and free screenings in several states, while also training community health workers on early detection and referral.
Uzoigwe added that steps are ongoing to institutionalise oral health within Nigeria’s healthcare system through legislation.
She urged stakeholders to sustain collaboration towards reducing preventable oral diseases and improving overall public health.
Head of Customer Strategy and Planning at Unilever Nigeria, Johnathan Okeke, said the initiative seeks to address poor oral hygiene culture among Nigerians.
He noted that many Nigerians brush only once daily, often in the morning, warning that neglecting night brushing increases the risk of tooth decay.
“Most Nigerians only brush once a day. Night-time brushing is actually the most important because germs multiply rapidly while we sleep,” he said.
Okeke added that poor oral health goes beyond dental concerns, affecting school attendance, productivity and overall wellbeing.
He said the company’s long-standing partnership with the Nigerian Dental Association and government agencies has driven school outreach programmes, community engagements and free dental services nationwide.
Brand Manager, Pepsodent Nigeria, Laureta Amie, said the campaign will leverage multiple media platforms, including radio, television and digital channels, to achieve its target reach.
According to her, the brand has so far reached over 5,000 schools, engaged more than 350,000 pupils and covered 25 states through its programmes.
She added that the 2026 campaign will introduce influencer partnerships and expand school activities, including the establishment of dental clubs across the country.
President of the Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Emedom Elias, said oral diseases affect about 2.5 billion people globally, stressing the need for increased awareness and access to care.
He identified poor access to dental facilities in rural areas as a major challenge, urging government to establish more clinics outside urban centres.
Elias also advised Nigerians to adopt preventive measures such as brushing twice daily, flossing, regular dental check-ups and avoiding harmful habits that could damage the teeth.