By Chris Onuoha
Raising awareness, educating communities, and mobilizing multi-stakeholder action around water safety and sustainable water practices is one campaign Nestlé Nigeria is taking serious.
The foremost global food and beverage producing firm, Nestlé Nigeria, in this bid, partners with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to launch a National Water Quality Advocacy Campaign as part of ongoing efforts to ensure safer water for all Nigerians.
This collaboration was recently made known in Abuja in a statement to the press, during a courtesy visit by Nestlé and members of the Organized Private Sector in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (OPS-WASH) to the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev.
According to the campaigners, the initiative is to reinforce government’s commitment to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through improved access to clean water and sanitation, and also to reaffirm cross-sector commitment to accelerating access to clean, safe water for all Nigerians.
Prof Utsev while welcoming the delegates, appraised the partnership, noting its importance in tackling persistent public health threats such as cholera and diarrhea while also addressing challenges related to flooding and climate resilience.
The Honourable Minister assured the the group of the Ministry’s full support for Nestlé’s campaign and pledged timely collaboration to deliver impactful results.
He said the Ministry is committed to working with Nestlé Nigeria to improve water quality across the country, adding that the partnership is in line with the Ministry’s mission to ensure safe water access and support the health and wellbeing of all Nigerians.
Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria, in her speech said: “Water is essential to life, yet millions of Nigerians remain at risk due to unsafe water sources.
”Our campaign is not just about raising awareness, it’s about shifting behaviors and building partnerships that deliver lasting impact.
”We’re working across communities, industries, and institutions to help close the knowledge gap, improve water safety, and support national health outcomes.”
She emphasized that the campaign rests on three pillars: building awareness and knowledge, engaging stakeholders at all levels, and driving long-term, sustainable action.
Also speaking, Dr. Nicholas Igwe, National Coordinator of OPS-WASH, shared details of the initiative’s community reach.
He said: “We are taking a long-term, impact-led approach. In Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, 16 communities will benefit from water quality interventions, while 8 communities in Agbara, Ogun State, are also included.
In addition, two agricultural communities will receive water harvesting systems to support irrigation and food production.”
