Nestlé Nigeria launches national water advocacy with FG support to boost water quality, improve public health, and drive sustainable community action

Nestlé Nigeria launches national water advocacy in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to tackle unsafe water and drive sustainable public health initiatives.

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Announced during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Water Resources in Abuja, the partnership is designed to create long-term community impact through education, behavioural change, and stakeholder engagement.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Utsev, described the initiative as timely and vital to national health efforts, especially in the wake of rising cases of waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhoea.

“The Ministry is committed to working with Nestlé Nigeria to improve water quality across the country,” he said.

“This partnership is in line with our mission to ensure safe water access and support the health and well-being of all Nigerians.”

Nestlé Nigeria launches national water advocacy to respond to the urgent need for water safety, especially in underserved communities.

The campaign also targets flood-prone regions and focuses on building resilience against climate-related challenges.

Speaking on the company’s vision, Nestlé Nigeria’s Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead, Victoria Uwadoka, said the initiative is about driving measurable impact through collaboration.

“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 behaviours and building partnerships that deliver lasting impact,” Uwadoka said.

She noted that the campaign rests on three core pillars: building public awareness, engaging stakeholders, and driving long-term sustainable change.

“We’re working across communities, industries, and institutions to help close the knowledge gap, improve water safety, and support national health outcomes,” she added.

Also speaking at the event was Dr Nicholas Igwe, National Coordinator of the Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (OPS-WASH), who provided insight into the local reach of the project.

“In the Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, 16 communities will benefit from water quality interventions. Additionally, eight communities in Agbara, Ogun State, are included. Two agricultural zones will also receive water harvesting systems for irrigation and food production,” he said.

He stressed that the project is designed to be inclusive and locally driven, with special attention to sustainability and replicability in other states.

Nestlé Nigeria launches national water advocacy to not only raise awareness but also develop actionable models for clean water delivery.

The OPS-WASH collaboration highlights how multi-sector partnerships can amplify resources and expertise in solving Nigeria’s water crisis.

Senior ministry officials and OPS-WASH executives present at the meeting echoed the need for urgent and unified action in addressing the country’s sanitation and water safety challenges.

The campaign is expected to roll out in phases, starting with pilot communities in the Federal Capital Territory and Ogun State, before expanding to other parts of the country.

By focusing on awareness, access, and accountability, the advocacy initiative aims to align with global health standards and Nigeria’s national sanitation policy.

Water-related diseases remain among the leading causes of mortality in Nigeria, especially in rural areas where access to potable water is limited.

Nestlé Nigeria launches national water advocacy as part of its broader sustainability strategy and commitment to improving life across the communities where it operates.

This initiative adds to Nestlé’s portfolio of social impact programmes and underlines the importance of private sector involvement in public health interventions.