Nestlé, FG Launch Nationwide Campaign Against Unsafe Water

Nigeria's Federal Government and Nestlé Nigeria Plc have initiated a nationwide campaign to combat unsafe drinking water and deliver water safety education directly to communities. This collaborative effort, implemented with the Organized Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH), aims to shift the national conversation from mere water access and availability to the quality, safety, and sustainability of water consumed by citizens.

The campaign officially launched with a National Training of Trainers workshop focused on the Water Quality Handbook. This event convened government officials, technical experts, and stakeholders to establish a network of personnel capable of disseminating water safety knowledge across states, local government areas, and communities. Representing the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Utsev, Director Habu Jamilu emphasized that Nigeria can no longer afford fragmented interventions in water quality management, calling for a unified national approach.

“

Nigeria could no longer afford fragmented interventions in water quality management, stressing the need for a unified national approach.

Jamilu described the Water Quality Handbook as a definitive technical guide designed to standardize procedures throughout the water quality value chain. Its scope includes source protection, household water handling, water testing, household water treatment, climate-related water quality challenges, and reporting mechanisms for water quality concerns to relevant authorities. Minister Utsev highlighted the training as a critical step in translating the handbook's technical provisions into practical, replicable knowledge nationwide, stressing that the campaign's success hinges on effective knowledge transfer to communities.

Dr. Nicholas Igwe, National Coordinator and Global Head of OPS-WASH Nigeria, who represented Nestlé Nigeria, stated that the company is expanding its water stewardship approach beyond access to encompass quality, governance, and sustainability. Under Nestlé Nigeria’s Water Regeneration Project, the company has committed to supplying approximately 270,000 cubic meters of water annually to 16 communities in one catchment area. Another area, covering eight communities, is expected to receive about 130,000 cubic meters, totaling around 400,000 cubic meters annually. This initiative underscores Nestlé's commitment to water regeneration and community development, focusing on ensuring communities have access to water that meets acceptable quality standards.

“

People should not only have access to water; t