By Chesa Chesa
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for increased efforts to ensure equitable access to clean and safe water across the country, emphasizing its critical role in advancing gender equality.
In a message marking the 2026 World Water Day 2026, Tinubu highlighted this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” and the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows.” She noted the strong link between water access, sanitation, and gender equity.
The First Lady drew attention to the challenges faced by women and girls in many communities, where they are primarily responsible for fetching water, often traveling long distances to streams. According to her, this burden negatively affects their education, health, and economic opportunities.
“When we ensure safe, clean, and accessible water, we do more than quench thirst; we open doors for girls to stay in school, for women to pursue livelihoods, and for families to live healthier lives,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu urged collective action to address water access challenges, stressing that improving water infrastructure and availability would significantly enhance the well-being of families and promote equality nationwide.
She concluded by calling on Nigerians to work together to ensure that access to water translates into broader social equity, declaring, “Where water flows in Nigeria, equity must truly grow.”
World Water Day is observed annually on March 22 to raise awareness about the importance of freshwater and advocate for sustainable management of water resources globally.
