Nestlé Nigeria Leads the Drive for Quality Water Nationwide

Nestlé Nigeria has continued to raise the bar when it comes to corporate responsibility. This time, it is critically tackling a pressing national public health issue—access to potable water. This is following recent study that millions of Nigerians struggle daily to find safe drinking water. It is, therefore, to nip this alarming issue in the bud that Nestlé Waters launched the Nestlé Water Quality Advocacy, raising awareness and promoting access to clean, safe water as a basic human right across the country. REBECCA EJIFOMA details

Every community—rural or urban—in Nigeria and across the globe depends on water to get through each day. From drinking, cooking, and bathing to washing clothes and cleaning spaces, water sustains every part of life for humans, animals and plants. Without water, homes, offices, hospitals, markets, and even roadsides need water to function. It is not only described as the lifeblood of society but also a foundation for public health and wellbeing.

Despite its indisputable importance, a 2025 study by the Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) discovers that 113 million Nigerians lack access to clean water. Thus, the ripple effect goes beyond health crises; the educational and social sector gets impacted, local economies and agriculture suffer and the level of poverty deepens. While this challenge persists, various organisations believe that the problem can be addressed with collective action and the right awareness.

Among such organisations is Nestle Nigeria. Through its recently launched Nestlé’s Water Quality Advocacy, it is making dedicated efforts to promote access to quality water across the nation, especially for the vulnerable communities. “The advocacy is in three folds,” explains Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria PLC. “Building widespread awareness about water quality, ensuring communities gain access to safe water, and equipping people with practical knowledge so they can make their daily water use safer—even when access is limited.”

The role of partnership in water advocacy
When it comes to strategic partnerships, Nestlé Nigeria has teamed up with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, and the Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (OPS-WASH) to bring its mission to fruition. Together, they seek to tackle the dire public health crisis, protect vulnerable communities, and safeguard the nation’s future through sustainable water stewardship and heightened awareness.

“We are tackling water access and awareness around water quality because it is essential,” Nwadoka emphasised, acknowledging the reason they are working closely with OPS-WASH among other organizations and stakeholders. “Waterborne diseases are everywhere. In Nigeria, you rarely see clinic visits without a mention of typhoid or cholera, especially among the most vulnerable. The government has the right structures, but success depends on private sector involvement. Our private sector partners play a key role in getting clean water to the communities that need it most, in partnership with government initiatives,” she added.

On his part, the National Coordinator of OPS-WASH, Dr. Nicholas Igwe, described the collaboration as one that reinforces the government efforts and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He made the remark during the launch of the Nestlé Water Quality Advocacy campaign, emphasising that it is a demonstration of private sector commitment to national water and sanitation goals and the current administration’s development agenda.

While expressing confidence that the Nestlé Water Quality Advocacy supports Nestlé Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and community well-being, Igwe confirmed that the commitment aligns with OPS-WASH’s mission to mobilise the private sector in achieving national and global water, sanitation, and hygiene goals.
According to Nestle Waters, the advocacy campaign, which is designed to be a continuous process, is a commitment to sustainable water stewardship through global standards certification, aquifer protection, and innovation in water quality assurance.
“Water stewardship is a priority for Nestlé Waters,” says Mr. Olatunji Olutayo, the Business Executive Officer, Nestlé Waters and Premium Beverages. “By 2025, we aim for all our sites to be certified under the Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard, underlining our commitment to sustainable water use, community engagement, and responsible watershed management.”

Nestle Water Advocacy echoes SDG 6
In 2015, Nigeria was among the 193 UN member states that adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit held in New York, US. SDG 6 calls for universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation for all, a goal that resonates with Nestlé Water Quality Advocacy.
“Nationwide assessments are ongoing in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6.3.2,” says Olutayo, noting that increased investments in water quality management would remain central to the government’s agenda. “Nestlé has set the tone. It is now up to all of us—government, private sector, and communities—to build on this momentum so that safe water becomes a reality for every Nigerian household,” he encouraged.
In his goodwill message at the campaign launch in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, commended Nestlé and OPS-WASH for their pragmatic step. He expressed confidence that the initiative would improve quality of water across Nigeria by creating more awareness to drive the behavioural changes necessary to achieve SDG 6.3.2.

To help every Nigerian gain access to clean safe water, the Nestlé Water Quality Advocacy campaign has called on government agencies, businesses, civil society, and individuals across the country to play their part in ensuring that quality water becomes a universal standard in Nigeria.