Nigeria faces a significant water crisis driven by mismanagement and climate change, affecting millions who lack clean drinking water. Despite vast freshwater resources, inadequate infrastructure leads to reliance on boreholes, jeopardizing long-term sustainability. Recent government initiatives and budget allocations aim to improve access, yet regulatory enforcement remains a major concern. Collaborative efforts are essential to address these challenges, ensuring water security for Nigeria’s growing population.
The global water crisis, exacerbated by climate change and human mismanagement, poses a significant threat to survival and development. Water is not only essential for human life but also plays a pivotal role in agriculture, industry, and public health. However, worldwide projections about water scarcity have sparked serious concerns among world leaders, with prior UN Secretaries-General warning that future conflicts may arise over water resources.
Nigeria holds substantial freshwater resources, estimated at 359 billion cubic meters. Despite this, millions remain without access to clean water, largely due to inadequate infrastructure and rapid population growth. As public water systems falter, urban and rural populations rely increasingly on alternative sources, such as boreholes, which pose long-term sustainability risks to groundwater reserves.
A UNICEF report from 2024 indicates that about 70 million Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water. The unreliable supply in the Federal Capital Territory has led many households to drill their own boreholes without proper regulation. This raises critical concerns regarding water quality and sustainability.
Though Nigeria benefits from abundant rivers and rainfall, mismanagement has left many without clean water. WHO guidelines suggest a minimum of 50 liters per person per day, a requirement woefully unmet in many cities. Consequently, women and children in rural areas often travel great distances to obtain water, exemplifying the crisis’s severity.
The responsibility for water provision in Nigeria is constitutionally divided among federal, state, and local governments, including private sector involvement. Recent budget allocations to the water sector aim to improve water supply and address long-standing challenges. Notable projects include the Greater Abuja Water Project, which seeks to expand access to clean water across various districts.
Comprehensive water management efforts are also underway in rural areas, with numerous schemes being developed. Despite these efforts, Nigeria’s National Water Policy faces challenges in enforcement, particularly regarding borehole regulation. Increased private borehole drilling has exacerbated pressure on groundwater reserves, raising sustainability concerns.
Residents express frustration over the lack of piped water, emphasizing the necessity for alternative solutions. Similar challenges experienced in other countries underline the urgency for Nigeria to adopt stricter regulations and sustainable groundwater management practices for long-term solutions.
Beyond boreholes, the reliance on contaminated surface water sources compounds health risks, as approximately 33 percent of Nigeria’s water sources are polluted. Unregulated drilling operations further complicate access to safe water and sanitation. This calls for clear guidelines on borehole drilling designating areas where public water is unavailable.
Experts advocate for prioritizing investments in modern water infrastructure rather than enabling unchecked borehole drilling. Proposed federal budgets reflect a commitment to addressing water supply, sanitation, and irrigation projects. Given Nigeria’s looming population growth, effective management of water resources will be increasingly critical for ensuring access to clean water and achieving long-term water security.
The looming water crisis in Nigeria necessitates urgent and sustainable interventions to ensure access to clean water for all citizens. Despite the country’s rich natural resources, poor management and infrastructure continue to thwart progress. Stakeholders must prioritize well-regulated initiatives, modern infrastructure investments, and collaborative efforts among government entities and communities to avert future conflicts over this vital resource. As the population continues to grow, strategic management of water resources will be essential for Nigeria’s socio-economic development and stability.
Original Source: nannews.ng
