BAT Nigeria Champions Collective Action for Sustainable Water Stewardship
On August 26, 2025, BAT Nigeria convened a multi-stakeholder workshop at its Ibadan factory to address water challenges faced by stakeholders. The event brought together government officials, industry peers, and community leaders to discuss strategies for sustainable water stewardship, a critical issue for the region.
The global water crisis is a pressing issue, with data from key bodies highlighting its severity. The World Bank Group notes that over 40% of the global population resides in water-stressed areas, a challenge that exposes approximately one-quarter of the world's GDP to risk. The demand for water is projected to increase significantly, with a 50% rise in agricultural production by 2050 requiring a 15% increase in water withdrawals. Climate change is exacerbating this situation by making hydrological cycles more unpredictable, leading to more frequent floods and droughts.
The workshop, titled "Collaborating for Sustainable Water Stewardship," opened with remarks from Hasnain Ishtiaq, Operations Director, BAT West & Central Africa, who underscored the importance of collective action.
"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," Ishtiaq said.
During a detailed presentation, Dr. Adesuyi Adeola, Sustainability Operations Manager at BAT West & Central Africa, highlighted the company's progress in aligning its water management with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard. He noted a positive trend in water conservation, characterised by reduced water withdrawal and increased recycling efforts. Dr. Adeola reported that the company's wastewater treatment plant, with a 50m³ storage capacity, has successfully recycled over 14,000 m³ of water in 2024.
BAT Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and data-driven reporting. This commitment was further reinforced with an assurance of continued growth in its water management efforts.
The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard is a global framework that provides a guide for responsible water usage. The standard's core is an inclusive process that involves engaging diverse stakeholders to collectively address shared water challenges within a specific watershed or basin.
By adopting this standard, BAT is showcasing a commitment that extends beyond mere regulatory compliance, actively measuring its water usage, engaging with the community, and working towards the collective goal of water security. The standard provides a framework for transparency and accountability, helping BAT Nigeria to report on key metrics and build trust with regulators, communities, and investors.
The open dialogue session that followed allowed stakeholders to raise concerns about public water infrastructure and sustainability measures. In a key moment of the session, Mrs. Bode Raji Olugbemiga, Director of Water Resources, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, confirmed the government’s commitment to gradually repairing the infrastructure and highlighted their participation in the workshop as a symbol of collaboration with private sector partners like BAT Nigeria.
The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, officials from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). The event concluded with a call for stakeholders to act as “ambassadors” for water stewardship, reinforcing a shared goal for a future with clean, accessible water for all communities.
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Source: Legit.ng
