Nigerian Development Expert Damilola Olajubutu appointed as Blue Community Ambassador for Africa, bringing grassroots approach to international water governance
The Blue Community, a global network dedicated to defending the human right to water and sanitation, has announced the appointment of Damilola Olajubutu as its newest Ambassador.
The Nigerian rural development and public policy expert becomes the second Blue Ambassador representing the fast-growing African region of the Switzerland-headquartered network.
“I’m honored to step into this new role as Ambassador for the Blue Community,” Olajubutu shared in her announcement.
She said, “This opportunity allows me to help strengthen community-driven, sustainable solutions that ensure equitable access to clean water, especially for underserved rural communities.”
Olajubutu’s appointment comes on the heels of her impactful participation at the United Nations, where she advocated for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 and contributed to planning for the 2026 UN Water Conference.
Representing the Rural Nurture Initiative (RNI), she delivered a compelling intervention during the multi-stakeholder reflections session, emphasizing community-driven solutions and bottom-up approaches as sustainable pathways to accelerating water access in rural Africa.
Her UN engagement demonstrated her commitment to amplifying grassroots voices on the international stage, a philosophy that aligns perfectly with the Blue Community’s mission to protect water services from pollution and profiteering while treating water access as a fundamental human right.
The appointment builds naturally on Olajubutu’s existing work with the Rural Nurture Initiative (RNI) and the African Rural Development Network (ARDN). Her focus on community-centered development and grassroots governance has established her as a recognized voice in rural development circles, particularly in advocating for water justice and inclusive solutions.
“This ambassadorial role provides a wider platform to continue advocating for water justice, grassroots governance, and inclusive solutions,” she noted, emphasizing her commitment to placing communities at the center of development initiatives.
As a Blue Community Ambassador, Olajubutu joins an impressive roster of international water justice advocates and scholars. The network includes distinguished academics and activists such as Professor Andrea Muehlebach from the University of Bremen, former UN Special Rapporteur Léo Heller, and prominent water journalists like Fredrick Mugira, founder of Water Journalists Africa.
The Blue Community represents a unique approach to global advocacy—functioning as a network of independent institutions rather than a traditional organization. Members range from large cities and universities to small local NGOs, all united in their commitment to defending water as a human right.
Olajubutu’s appointment reflects the Blue Community’s rapid expansion across Africa. Her role as the second Blue Ambassador for the continent signals the region’s growing importance in global water governance discussions and the recognition of African voices in shaping sustainable solutions.
The timing is particularly significant as communities across rural Africa continue to face water access challenges, making locally-driven, sustainable approaches more critical than ever.
Looking ahead, Olajubutu expressed enthusiasm for the collaborative opportunities her new role presents. “I look forward to collaborating with advocates, policymakers, and community leaders across Africa and beyond to advance this vital cause,” she stated.
Her appointment represents more than individual recognition—it symbolizes a growing movement toward inclusive, community-driven approaches to one of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
Through her work with the Blue Community, Olajubutu is poised to continue bridging the gap between local community needs and international policy frameworks, ensuring that rural voices remain central to global water governance discussions.
