Nestlé Nigeria, Ministry, OPS-WASH Launch National Water Quality Handbook

Nestlé Nigeria, Ministry, OPS-WASH Launch National Water Quality Handbook

Initiative empowers Nigerians with practical guidance to protect water safety and public health

Nestlé Nigeria Plc, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (OPS-WASH), has unveiled a National Water Quality Advocacy Handbook to equip Nigerians with the knowledge and tools needed to safeguard the quality of water used in their daily lives.

The handbook was launched at the Annual Water Quality Conference held in Abuja. It represents a key milestone in Nestlé Nigeria’s nationwide Water Quality Advocacy campaign and reinforces ongoing efforts to improve water safety and public health outcomes across the country.

Developed to simplify technical water safety concepts, the handbook provides clear and practical guidance for households, communities, policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders. It outlines steps for identifying potential risks, ensuring proper water handling and storage, applying household treatment methods, and protecting water sources at the community level. The guide also highlights the importance of consistent everyday practices, noting that water that appears clean may still contain harmful contaminants.

Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, emphasised the role of awareness in improving water quality nationwide. He noted that sustained public education is essential to empower individuals and communities to adopt safe water practices and protect their health. According to him, the handbook is a critical step in taking water safety knowledge directly to the grassroots and encouraging responsible water use.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Managing Director of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Lead, Victoria Uwadoka, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to water stewardship. She highlighted that water remains vital to public health, economic development, and the company’s operations, adding that Nestlé’s responsibility extends beyond its business activities to protecting shared water resources and improving access to safe water.

She explained that the development of the handbook reflects a collaborative effort to strengthen water quality standards and promote safer practices, particularly at the household level where water is most frequently handled and consumed.

Also speaking, the National Coordinator of OPS-WASH, Dr. Nicholas Igwe, underscored the need for coordinated action among stakeholders. He stated that improving water quality requires alignment from policy formulation to community-level implementation, noting that the handbook will support awareness, enhance education, and help identify areas needing technical and financial intervention.

To maximise its reach and impact, the handbook will be distributed through both digital and physical channels, including partnerships with community-focused agencies such as RUWASSA. A nationwide grassroots sensitisation campaign is also planned to drive adoption of safe water practices.

Stakeholders, communities, and individuals are encouraged to access the handbook and actively promote safer water handling and usage, contributing to a collective effort to make water safety a national priority.

About Nestlé Nigeria
Nestlé Nigeria is one of Africa’s leading food and beverage companies, committed to enhancing quality of life through nutrition and wellness. For over six decades, the company has delivered trusted products to Nigerian consumers under brands such as MAGGI, MILO, GOLDEN MORN, NESTLÉ PURE LIFE, CERELAC, NESCAFÉ, and NIDO.

With three manufacturing sites, seven branch offices, and a head office in Lagos, Nestlé Nigeria continues to support communities, improve livelihoods, and promote environmental sustainability.