By Osaretin Osadebamwen
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to improve water quality across Nigeria, partnering with Nestlé Nigeria Plc and the Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH) to train personnel on safe water management.
The initiative, under the National Water Quality Advocacy Campaign, is anchored on the Water Quality Handbook, developed as a standard reference for managing water quality in communities and institutions.
At a national Training of Trainers workshop on Thursday, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, represented by Director Habu Jamilu, stressed the need for a unified approach to tackling water quality challenges.
“We need to adopt a unified and standardised strategy for addressing water quality challenges across the country,” Utsev said.
He explained that the handbook provides guidance across the water quality chain — from protecting sources to household handling, testing, and treatment — and also addresses the impact of climate change.
Utsev urged participants, described as the technical core of their institutions, to use the training to build capacity among personnel and stakeholders. He emphasized collaboration, noting that no single institution can effectively address Nigeria’s water quality challenges alone.
Dr. Nicholas Igwe, National Coordinator of OPS-WASH and Global Head, said the campaign marks a shift from simply providing access to water to ensuring that the water consumed is safe.
“We want people to know exactly what they drink and how it affects their health,” Igwe said.
He highlighted the need for communities to understand the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water, warning that poor water quality contributes to diseases that undermine economic productivity.
Igwe added that trained personnel would take the campaign to states, local governments, and communities, urging stronger involvement by governors and water agencies. He also stressed the importance of private-sector participation in translating water quality policies into practical interventions.
The initiative builds on the Water Quality Handbook, launched in April 2026 with support from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation. Technical sessions at the workshop covered fundamentals of water quality, household water management, and testing methods, bringing together representatives of ministries and stakeholders across the WASH sector.
