BAT Nigeria Champions Collective Action for Sustainable Water Stewardship

Dike Onwuamaeze

The BAT Nigeria has convened a multi-stakeholder workshop at its Ibadan factory to address water challenges faced by stakeholders.

The workshop brought together government officials, industry peers and community leaders to discuss strategies for sustainable water stewardship.

The workshop, which was titled “Collaborating for Sustainable Water Stewardship,” opened with remarks from Operations Director, BAT West & Central Africa, Hasnain Ishtiaq, who underscored the importance of collective action.

Ishtiaq said: “This workshop is a testament to our firm belief that we can only make a real difference and build a sustainable future by working together, sharing ideas, and committing to collective action.”

In his presentation during the workshop, the Sustainability Operations Manager at BAT West and Central Africa, Dr. Adesuyi Adeola, highlighted the company’s progress in aligning its water management with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard.

Adeola noted a positive trend in water conservation that is characterised by reduced water withdrawal and increased recycling efforts.

He disclosed that the company’s wastewater treatment plant, with a 50m³ storage capacity, has successfully recycled over 14,000 m³ of water in 2024.

Speaking during the workshop, the Director of Water Resources, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs. Bode Raji Olugbemiga, confirmed the government’s commitment to gradually repairing water infrastructure.

Olugbemiga highlighted that the ministry’s participation in the workshop was a symbol of collaboration with private sector partners like BAT Nigeria.

BAT Nigeria said that the global water crisis is a pressing issue, with data from key bodies highlighting its severity.

It said that the World Bank Group noted that over 40 per cent of the global population resides in water-stressed areas, a challenge that exposes approximately one-quarter of the world’s GDP to risk.

“The demand for water is projected to increase significantly, with a 50 per cent rise in agricultural production by 2050 requiring a 15 per cent increase in water withdrawals.

“Climate change is exacerbating this situation by making hydrological cycles more unpredictable, leading to more frequent floods and droughts, the company said.

The BAT Nigeria also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and data-driven reporting, which was further reinforced with an assurance of continued growth in its water management efforts.

The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard is a global framework that provides a guide for responsible water usage.

The standard’s core is an inclusive process that involves engaging diverse stakeholders to collectively address shared water challenges within a specific watershed or basin.

The BAT Nigeria said that by adopting this standard, the company “is showcasing a commitment that extends beyond mere regulatory compliance, actively measuring its water usage, engaging with the community, and working towards the collective goal of water security.

“The standard provides a framework for transparency and accountability, helping BAT Nigeria to report on key metrics and build trust with regulators, communities, and investors.”

The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, officials from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

The event concluded with a call for stakeholders to act as “ambassadors” for water stewardship, reinforcing a shared goal for a future with clean, accessible water for all communities.