Nestlé Nigeria Plc has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to launch a nationwide water quality awareness campaign aimed at promoting public health, sustainable resource management, and climate resilience across Nigeria.
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The initiative was officially unveiled on July 19, 2025, during a multi-stakeholder engagement session held at the Federal Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. The event brought together key players including representatives from Nestlé Nigeria, senior government officials, and members of the Organized Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH), highlighting a multi-sectoral commitment to advancing clean water access and environmental stewardship.
This national campaign is positioned to support ongoing government efforts to combat waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrheal infections, which continue to affect vulnerable populations in both urban and rural areas. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), over 2,300 cases of cholera were reported across 31 states between January and June 2025
The campaign will be implemented in phases, starting with targeted awareness drives in water-stressed communities, followed by public engagement initiatives, school outreach programs, and capacity-building workshops for local sanitation officers. The ultimate goal is to embed clean water practices at the grassroots level and promote behavioral change for long-term impact.
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Nestlé Nigeria’s involvement underscores its wider corporate commitment to sustainability, water stewardship, and community development. The company has previously implemented water infrastructure projects in schools and rural communities, aligned with its Creating Shared Value (CSV) framework. Speaking at the launch, Nestlé Nigeria’s Public Affairs Manager emphasized the company’s intent to “advance water security as a shared responsibility between industry, government, and civil society.”
The initiative also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Nigerian government, which prioritizes improved access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) as key enablers of public health and economic resilience. Under the agenda, the Ministry has committed to revitalizing national water quality laboratories and increasing sanitation coverage in underserved local government areas.
According to the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the partnership with Nestlé and the OPS-WASH coalition will focus on community-level data collection, behavior change communication, and advocacy for sustainable groundwater management. Officials noted that stakeholder collaboration of this scale is essential for achieving Nigeria’s commitments under Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
By leveraging Nestlé Nigeria’s corporate capacity and aligning with federal WASH priorities, the campaign is expected to strengthen public awareness and drive measurable improvements in water safety, ultimately contributing to healthier communities and climate-adaptive infrastructure nationwide.
