British American Tobacco Nigeria, BATN, has declared that it is championing collective action for sustainable water stewardship to tackle the country’s growing water challenges.

According to a statement, the company’s campaign followed a recent multi-stakeholder workshop at its Ibadan factory. It featured government officials, industry leaders, and community stakeholders deliberating on strategies to improve water access and sustainability.

Operations Director, BAT West and Central Africa, Hasnain Ishtiaq, hailed the workshop as reflecting the company’s belief in collaboration.

He said, “This workshop is a testament to our firm belief that we can only make a real difference and build a sustainable future by working together, sharing ideas, and committing to collective action.”

In his presentation, Sustainability Operations Manager, BAT West and Central Africa, Dr. Adesuyi Adeola, disclosed that the company had made progress in aligning its water management system with the Alliance for Water Stewardship Standard. He explained that BAT’s wastewater treatment plant, with a 50 m³ storage capacity, recycled more than 14,000 m³ of water in 2024.

Adeola noted that BATN had reduced water withdrawals while increasing recycling efforts in line with its sustainability commitments. He stressed that the firm would continue to prioritise transparency and data-driven reporting on its water management.

Director of Water Resources, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Bode Olugbemiga, assured that the government remained committed to repairing public water infrastructure. She described the ministry’s participation as evidence of its willingness to collaborate with the private sector.

The event, themed ‘Collaborating for Sustainable Water Stewardship’, featured open dialogue sessions where stakeholders raised concerns about infrastructure gaps and community water access.

Participants included representatives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, and officials from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.

The workshop ended with a call for all stakeholders to act as ambassadors of water stewardship to secure clean and accessible water for all communities.