No safe water, no sustainable development – Minister

The minister was represented by the ministry’s Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Elizabeth Ugoh, who read the minister’s keynote address. Utsev commended Nestlé Nigeria Plc for what he described as a forward-looking initiative, noting that it aligned with the government’s drive to ensure that Nigerians have access to clean and sustainable water.

“Water is life. Yet, the safety of this life-sustaining resource remains a critical challenge in our country and across the globe. Contaminated water continues to be a leading cause of preventable diseases, such as cholera, diarrhoea, and typhoid, that threaten not only public health but also our productivity, education, and overall development.

“Without access to safe water, our progress toward sustainable development remains incomplete. This is why today’s advocacy launch is not just timely, but truly transformative,” he said.

The minister cited the 2021 National WASHNORM report, which revealed worrying levels of drinking water contamination at points of consumption. He stressed the need for urgent, coordinated action, adding that multi-stakeholder platforms like the advocacy launch and the Annual Water Quality Conference were vital to building consensus.

He outlined several government initiatives to tackle water contamination, including the Nigerian Roadmap for Water Quality Management, the establishment of 12 National Water Quality Reference Laboratories across the country, and the monitoring of rivers and open waterbodies to track progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Other programmes mentioned include freshwater restoration, draft contingency plans for polluted water bodies, and community-based water safety plans. Utsev emphasised that despite improvements in expanding water infrastructure, the safety of water for consumption remained a “critical challenge.”He noted that the government had leveraged technology and partnerships to strengthen surveillance and regulatory frameworks, such as the Nigeria Standard for Drinking Water Quality and new guidelines for rural water monitoring. He added that overcoming obstacles required shared responsibility among the government, the private sector, civil society, and development partners.

The minister assured that the ministry would work with Nestlé and other partners to turn the advocacy into measurable progress, ensuring safe, reliable, and sustainable water for Nigerians.

Also speaking, Nestlé Nigeria’s Corporate Communications and Sustainability Lead, Victoria Uwadoka, said that access to safe water is a matter of survival and socio-economic sustainability. She lamented that over 113 million Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water, while about 87,000 children under five die each year from diarrhoea caused by poor sanitation.

Uwadoka said, “Only quality water is life,” as she called on government, industry, academia, civil society and individuals to unite in tackling the crisis. She explained that the campaign would be deployed across media platforms and community events in partnership with OPS-WASH and key ministries to build a nationwide movement for water safety.

The Business Executive Officer for Nestlé Waters and Premium Beverages, Olutayo Olatunji, said the company’s priority was not just water access but water quality, stressing that “quality water is life, not just any water.” He explained that the initiative would equip families, schools and communities with knowledge and practices that protect health through safe hydration.

He added that the company was committed to sustainability through water stewardship, recyclable packaging, and plans to certify all its sites under the Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard by 2025.

The National Coordinator of OPS-WASH, Dr Nicholas Igwe, described the Nestlé Water Quality Advocacy Campaign as a milestone, noting it was the first time a private organisation had taken leadership in the critical area of water quality and governance.He called for nationwide awareness and collaboration, adding that OPS-WASH would work with professional women engineers and other partners to ensure Nigerians understand water quality challenges and the practical steps needed to address them.

Nigeria's Water Quality Crisis: Minister Calls for Urgent Ac