Nestlé Nigeria Plc, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (OPS-WASH), has launched a National Water Quality Advocacy Handbook to promote safe water practices and protect public health across the country.
The handbook was unveiled at the Annual Water Quality Conference hosted by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in Abuja.
The initiative forms part of Nestlé Nigeria’s national Water Quality Advocacy campaign and is aimed at improving water safety awareness nationwide.
According to the organisers, the handbook provides practical guidance to households, communities, policymakers, regulators, and industry players on safeguarding water quality.
It outlines steps for identifying contamination risks, ensuring safe water handling and storage, applying household treatment methods, and protecting water sources at the community level.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, emphasised the importance of public awareness in improving water quality outcomes.
He said sustained education is critical to equipping individuals and communities with the knowledge required to adopt safe practices and protect their health, noting that the handbook represents a significant step in taking water safety information directly to the grassroots.
In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Managing Director of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Wassim Elhusseini, the company’s Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Lead, Victoria Uwadoka, reaffirmed Nestlé’s commitment to water stewardship.
She described water as essential to life, public health, and economic development, adding that the company’s responsibility extends beyond its operations to protecting shared water resources and improving access to safe water in communities.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of OPS-WASH, Dr. Nicholas Igwe, called for coordinated stakeholder action to address water and sanitation challenges in Nigeria.
He noted that the handbook would help strengthen awareness, support community education, and identify gaps requiring technical and financial intervention, while reaffirming OPS-WASH’s commitment to sustainable solutions in the sector.
To ensure wide reach, the handbook will be distributed both digitally and physically through government and community partners, including the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agencies (RUWASSA). A nationwide grassroots sensitisation campaign is also planned to drive adoption of safe water practices.
Stakeholders have been encouraged to download the handbook and promote its use within their communities as part of efforts to prioritise water safety in Nigeria.
Nestlé Nigeria Plc is one of Africa’s leading food and beverage companies, with over six decades of operations in the country and a portfolio of well-known brands.
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