Water Crisis in Nigeria
Water Crisis in Nigeria
Nigeria’s water crisis is deeply intertwined with climate change, rapid urbanization, weak infrastructure, and environmental mismanagement. Although the country is endowed with abundant surface and groundwater resources, access to safe, reliable water remains a major challenge for millions of Nigerians. Phenomena such as sea level rise, extreme weather events, ecosystem degradation, agricultural disruption, and public health risks have intensified the crisis across different regions.
Among these phenomena, extreme weather like flooding resonates most strongly with me because of its recurring and devastating impacts on livelihoods, food security, and public health across Nigeria.
Extreme Weather and Flooding
In recent years, Nigeria has experienced increasingly severe rainfall and flooding, especially along the Niger–Benue river basins and in coastal and low-lying states such as Kogi, Anambra, Bayelsa, Lagos, and Delta. The 2022 and 2023 floods displaced millions of people, destroyed homes, submerged farmlands, and damaged water supply infrastructure. Floodwaters often contaminate wells, boreholes, and surface water sources with sewage, oil residues, and solid waste, making clean drinking water scarce during and after flood events.
Agricultural and Ecosystem Impacts
Flooding and irregular rainfall patterns disrupt planting seasons and wash away crops such as rice, maize, and cassava. While short-term floods may increase soil fertility, prolonged inundation leads to crop failure and loss of income for smallholder farmers. Ecosystems such as wetlands and mangroves are also under stress either from excessive flooding or saltwater intrusion linked to sea level rise reducing their natural role in water purification and flood control.
Health Implications
The water crisis has serious health consequences. Flood-related contamination increases outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, diarrhea, and malaria, especially among children and the elderly. In many internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, access to clean water and sanitation is inadequate, worsening disease transmission. During floods, healthcare facilities themselves are sometimes cut off or damaged, compounding vulnerability.
Water Resources and Governance Challenges
Despite the abundance of rivers and aquifers, poor water governance, inadequate maintenance of dams and drainage systems, and weak early-warning systems exacerbate the effects of extreme weather. Urban areas like Lagos face a dual challenge of flooding and water scarcity, as damaged infrastructure and pollution reduce access to portable water.