Rector Cares Foundation has announced ‘Dying For Water’, a new documentary film spotlighting the ongoing water crisis in Northern Nigeria.
Set in Wuro Yayaru, a rural community in Gombe State, the documentary will premiere during World Water Week in August and offers an unflinching look at how water poverty continues to shape and often shatter lives.
The film follows the story of Fatsuma, a grieving mother whose child drowned in one of the town’s crude, uncovered wells. Her story is one of many.
Through interviews with women and other residents of Wuro Yayaru, the documentary captures the emotional and physical toll of water scarcity as families navigate dangerous alternatives to safe water in the absence of adequate infrastructure.
“This documentary isn’t just about our work,” says Onyedikachi Erete, founder of Rector Cares Foundation and executive producer of the film.
“It’s about the resilience of communities and the urgent need for sustainable water solutions in Nigeria. Through the voices of those we serve, we aim to spark a nationwide conversation about water poverty and the crucial role of WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) in building a healthier future.”
Directed by filmmaker Omoregie Osakpolor and co-produced by Stephanie Ohumu, ‘Dying For Water’ is part of the Foundation’s broader effort to raise awareness around the health risks and inequities driven by unsafe water access.
The film forms a key component of its communication strategy aimed at deepening collaboration between development organisations, water technology providers, and communities on the frontlines of the crisis.
The 2025 World Water Week will take place between August 24 and 28 in Stockholm, Sweden, and online.
