Tag: Nestlé

The federal government has raised concerns over Nigeria’s annual economic loss of about N455 billion to poor sanitation and unsafe water.

To this end, the federal government has called for the urgent need for improved monitoring, enforcement of standards, and greater public awareness on water quality.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made the disclosure at the launch of the Nestlé Water Quality Advocacy Campaign held in Abuja on Wednesday. 

Represented by Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, the Minister said Nigeria must commit more resources to water quality management to reduce the risks of contamination.

“The 2021 National Water Report revealed that indices of contamination of drinking water at points of consumption in Nigeria are not encouraging,” he said.

He explained that contaminated water remains a leading cause of preventable diseases in the country, threatening health, productivity, and education. 

“Without access to safe water, our progress towards sustainable development remains incomplete,” Utsev added.

He called for stronger collective action through platforms such as the advocacy campaign and the annual Water Policy Conference to build consensus and galvanise solutions.

According to him, “We must invest more in water quality monitoring, enforce standards, and empower communities to be custodians of the very water they drink.”

Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria, drew attention to alarming figures from a 2024 research study by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).

She was the person who disclosed that, “Poor sanitation costs the economy an estimated ₦455 billion every year, straining families and institutions alike.”

“More than 113 million Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water. Even more alarming, an estimated 87,000 children under five die annually from diarrhoea linked directly to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. Broader studies suggest that over 70,000 lives are lost each year to waterborne diseases,” Uwadoka said.

Uwadoka added that the advocacy campaign was conceived by Nestlé in partnership with the Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (OPS-WASH) to raise awareness and mobilise stakeholders.

“Our objective is clear: to close the knowledge gap on water quality and safety, a topic that is not discussed often enough despite its supreme importance. The change we need requires multi-sectoral action. Government, industry, media, academia, civil society, and every individual has a role to play,” Uwadoka noted.

The Nestlé Quality Water Advocacy Campaign, she explained, will be rolled out in three phases. The first involved engaging critical stakeholders, the second was the official launch, and the third phase will be the deployment across print, broadcast, and social media, as well as grassroots mobilisation and community events.

On Nestlé’s broader commitments, Mr. Olutayo Olatunji, Business Executive Officer, Nestlé Waters and Premium Beverages, said the company is aligning with global standards on water stewardship.

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“Beyond production, we have pledged to certify all our sites under the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard by 2025, reinforcing our commitment to protecting local watersheds, engaging communities, and promoting sustainable water management,” Olatunji said.

He described Nestlé’s process for ensuring high-quality bottled water, which includes protecting underground sources, filtering and purification through state-of-the-art processes, re-mineralisation for taste and balance, and rigorous quality assurance checks before distribution.

“This is to illustrate that quality water is possible, achievable, and replicable when the right standards and investments are in place,” he stated.

Olatunji further stressed that the company’s sustainability efforts extend beyond production. 

“We continue to reduce water use, safeguard the aquifers we rely on, and invest in source protection for communities,” he added.

Managing Director, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Wassim ElHusseini, has called for enhanced collaboration between the private sector and the Federal Government to address the youth unemployment rate.

Unemployment for individuals aged between 15 and 24 stands at 8.6 per cent, according to Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Labour Force Survey.

Speaking during the inaugural graduation ceremony of the new Technical Training Centre located at the Flowergate Factory in Ogun State, ElHusseini emphasised that government efforts alone are insufficient to resolve the unemployment crisis.

He highlighted that Nestlé is actively supporting governmental initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth by creating more job opportunities through the training of youth for higher-productivity sectors.

He reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to closing the technical skills gap by equipping young individuals with the necessary competencies to contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.

ElHusseini pointed out that one of the company’s primary objectives is to assist young people in acquiring the skills and capabilities essential for engaging in the expanding economy.

He elaborated that the technical training programme is designed to prepare youth for economic opportunities, whether through employment or entrepreneurship.

He said 98 per cent of 20 beneficiaries expected at the 18- month programme have been offered jobs by the organisation.

Nestlé Nigeria’s 18-month intensive programme equips participants with machining, mechanical fitting operations, electrical operations, instrumentation operations, and automation skills, preparing them for the prestigious London City and Guilds technical certification.

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Country Human Resources Manager, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Shakiru Lawal said graduates of the Flowergate Technical Training Centre were the best outcomes of all the training programmes, including those from other locations in  Agbara and Agbati.

He noted that the initiative is part of Nestlé’s commitment to help develop young people’s skills  and make them more employable.

According to him, it aims to develop young talent for the company and help tackle the youth unemployment crisis.

 Students undergo an intensive 18-month theoretical and practical engineering syllabus based on the London City & Guilds curriculum for Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.  The programme is open to young graduates with specialties in electrical, electronic, mechanical and automation engineering.

The Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland in Ogun State, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, indicated that the programme was capable of driving sustainable and inclusive growth,  and equipping  the youth with the skills needed for the jobs of the future.

He reiterated the readiness of the kingdom to partner with the company on programmes that will ensure that the young population participate and benefit from the growth and development.

According to him, the palace is in search of a youth empowerment model to equip young people with the skills and training they need to become economically engaged and secure their futures.

He noted that with the support of Nestle, the palace can design a model that offers youth access to meaningful employment through training that reflects the needs of the labour market.