Nestlé Nigeria, FG Partner to Tackle Water Quality Crisis Nationwide

L-R: Toju Egbebi, Corporate Affairs Manager, Nestle Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead, Nestle Nigeria, Honourable Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation in Nigeria, Dr. Nicholas Igwe, Global Head & Nigeria National Coordinator, Organized Private Sector in Water, Sanitation & Hygiene and Engr. Nnenna Igwegbe, APWEN National Vice President and OPS-WASH Head of Zonal Coordinator during a visit to the Minister to discuss partnership on a National Water Quality Advocacy campaign in Abuja recently.

Nestlé Nigeria has teamed up with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to launch a National Water Quality Advocacy Campaign, aimed at improving access to clean water and promoting safe water practices across the country.

The partnership was announced in Abuja during a courtesy visit by Nestlé Nigeria and members of the Organized Private Sector in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (OPS-WASH). The initiative supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes better access to clean water and sanitation to improve public health outcomes.

Welcoming the collaboration, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, described clean water as a fundamental right and a shared responsibility. He noted that unsafe water sources remain a key driver of public health threats such as cholera, diarrhea, and water-borne diseases, adding that climate-related challenges like flooding have worsened the situation in many communities.

“Clean water is not just a necessity—it is a right and a responsibility. We are committed to working with Nestlé Nigeria and other partners to enhance water quality nationwide and safeguard the health of Nigerians,” the Minister said.

Nestlé Nigeria’s Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead, Victoria Uwadoka, said the company is taking a multi-stakeholder approach to address the gaps in water safety knowledge and practices.

“Water is essential to life, yet millions of Nigerians remain at risk due to unsafe water sources. Our campaign focuses on more than raising awareness—we want to change behaviors and build partnerships that deliver real, lasting impact,” she said.

The National Water Quality Advocacy Campaign rests on three pillars: raising awareness, engaging stakeholders at all levels, and driving long-term sustainable action on water safety.

Highlighting the community-level interventions, Dr. Nicholas Igwe, National Coordinator of OPS-WASH, disclosed that 16 communities in Abaji Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, and eight communities in Agbara, Ogun State, will benefit from targeted water quality improvement efforts. In addition, two agricultural communities will be equipped with water harvesting systems to support irrigation and boost food production.

Also speaking, Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, stressed the importance of using baseline water quality data to guide decision-making and strengthen the impact of the campaign.

The meeting, attended by senior officials from the Ministry and OPS-WASH, marked a renewed push for collaboration between the public and private sectors to scale up safe water practices across Nigeria.

With this partnership, Nestlé Nigeria and the Federal Government are hoping to drive meaningful change in water quality management, reduce water-borne diseases, and improve the overall wellbeing of communities across the country.