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By Doris Obinna
Nestlé Waters has launched a national advocacy initiative aimed at raising awareness about the importance of water quality across Nigeria. The campaign, unveiled in Abuja, is in collaboration with the Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (OPS-WASH).
The collaboration seeks to engage policymakers, businesses, schools, and grassroots communities in addressing the dangers posed by contaminated water.
Speaking, Business Executive Officer, Nestlé Waters and Premium Beverages, Mr. Olatunji Olutayo, stressed the company’s commitment to promoting safe and sustainable water use. He explained that Nestlé aims to have all its sites certified under the Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard by 2025, underscoring its dedication to responsible watershed management and community engagement.
According to him, the campaign’s objectives include ensuring universal access to safe water, encouraging multi-stakeholder collaboration, and driving long-term sustainable solutions.
Also, National Coordinator, OPS-WASH, Dr. Nicholas Igwe, noted that millions of Nigerians remain unaware of the quality of the water they consume daily. He described the campaign as an empowerment tool that will help people safeguard their health by protecting their water sources. “By knowing and protecting our water sources, we can significantly reduce the burden of waterborne diseases and build a healthier, more productive nation,” he said.
In his keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources & Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving water quality nationwide.
Prof. Utsev, who was represented by Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, praised Nestlé Waters and OPS-WASH for their efforts, describing the campaign as a timely intervention aligned with the national agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He noted that contaminated water remains one of the leading causes of preventable diseases in Nigeria, with serious health and economic consequences.
Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare also commended the initiative, saying it would play a critical role in fostering behavioral change necessary for achieving Nigeria’s water safety targets.
Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Victoria Uwadoka, described the effort as the beginning of a national movement for water safety. She emphasized that the campaign will go beyond awareness to provide practical steps that individuals and communities can adopt to ensure safer water, thereby improving health and supporting development.
The launch was attended by key stakeholders, including representatives from government ministries, civil society, and professional bodies such as the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN). Nestlé and OPS-WASH called on all sectors to play their part in ensuring that access to safe water becomes a reality for every Nigerian.
