By Obiabin Onukwugha
As African countries mark the 2026 Africa Day, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), has called on governments at all levels to prioritize investment in water and sanitation infrastructure, stating that it’s a basic human right.
YEAC-Nigeria made the call in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by its executive director, Dr. Dumnamene Fyneface, on Monday, in commemoration of the day.
The 2026 Africa Day celebrated on May 25, marks the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU).
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
The body noted that this year’s theme speaks directly to the reality facing communities across the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. “Access to clean water and safe sanitation is not a privilege — it is a basic right and a foundation for health, education, and economic survival. Yet oil pollution, gas flaring, and weak infrastructure continue to deny too many Nigerians this right,” it said.
While extending its solidarity to Africans, YEAC-NIGERIA stated that Africa’s future depends on how we manage the resources we have today. “Water is life, and protecting it, is protecting our future,” the body said.
It called for a delebrate action from all stakeholders to address water and sanitation problems across Africa.
“Today, we call on: Government at all levels to prioritize investment in water and sanitation infrastructure, and to enforce environmental regulations that protect water sources from industrial pollution.
”Communities and traditional institutions to lead local stewardship of water resources and hold duty-bearers accountable.
“Young Africans to organize, innovate, and demand the clean environment we deserve.
“As a youth organization working at the intersection of environment, peace, and sustainable development.
“YEAC-Nigeria believes that young people must be at the center of solutions. We cannot achieve Agenda 2063 if we exclude the generation that will inherit its outcomes,” the body stated.
