By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for improved access to clean and safe water across the country, stressing that water availability remains closely linked to gender equality, education and healthier living conditions for families.
She made the call in a message marking the 2026 World Water Day, observed on Sunday 22 March, 2026 with the theme, “Water and Gender,” and the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows.”
World Water Day is observed annually on March 22 to draw global attention to the importance of freshwater and to encourage sustainable management of water resources for present and future generations.
According to the First Lady, the theme underscores the strong connection between access to water, sanitation and gender equity, noting that women and girls in many communities still bear the burden of sourcing water, often at great personal cost.
“This year’s World Water Day with the theme, ‘Water and Gender,’ under the special campaign slogan ‘Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,’ highlights the unique connection between access to water, sanitation, and gender equity,” she said.
She explained that in several rural and underserved communities, women and girls are primarily responsible for fetching water, a task that frequently requires long and exhausting journeys to distant streams, thereby affecting their education, health and economic opportunities.
“Across many communities, women and girls bear the primary responsibility for getting water, often walking long distances to streams at the expense of their education, health, and economic opportunities,” she stated.
Furthermore, Mrs Tinubu noted that ensuring access to safe, clean and affordable water would not only improve public health but also expand opportunities for social and economic advancement, particularly for women and children.
“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.
She therefore urged Nigerians, government institutions and development partners to work collectively to guarantee equitable access to water across the country, emphasising that such efforts would promote fairness, dignity and national development.
“Let us work together to ensure that where water flows in Nigeria, equity truly grows,” she added.
