One of Nigeria’s biggest challenges is ensuring access to sustainable, clean water. Despite the nation having abundant water resources, there is a shortage of it, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, due to unequal distribution, inadequate management, Infrastructure deficiencies, and the effects of climate change. Over 60 million Nigerians lack access to basic drinking water services, and the majority of the population depends on surface water, which is frequently contaminated, according to the World Bank’s 2022 report.
UNICEF estimates that inadequate Sanitation and water supplies cost Nigeria’s Economy ₦1.9 trillion, or 1.3% of GDP, yearly. Such losses are represented in the time squandered getting access to water and sanitation services, the Productivity lost as a result of diseases linked to these resources, the needless costs incurred by the government and households in treating the illnesses, and the capacity lost to Malnutrition and mortality. Moreover, inadequate access to water sources has been blamed for a few of the disputes in the North-Central area.
Government has allocate funding for water development.
Nigeria faces a number of intricate problems related to, governance, environmental and socioeconomic hurdles that impede access to sustainable water. Particularly, inadequate infrastructure, poor governance, and mismanagement pose serious obstacles to effective water governance. Untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial waste have contaminated numerous water bodies, making Water Pollution a widespread issue. For many, groundwater is a major source of drinking water, but it is frequently contaminated with diseases and heavy metals in both urban and rural regions.
Many Nigerians utilize unsafe water sources due to the lack of efficient water treatment facilities, which leads to recurrent outbreaks of waterborne illnesses like Cholera and diarrhea. The Nigerian government has allocated funding for the Construction of water treatment facilities, distribution networks, and dams in the yearly budget. For instance, the budget for 2024 allots about ₦150 billion ($200 million) for the development of water infrastructure projects, with an emphasis on increasing the availability of drinkable water in underserved areas.
Push to ensure access is supported by Water Resources Bill.
The Nigerian government’s overall plan to enhance water management and guarantee all Nigerians have sustainable access to water resources includes the National Water Resources Policy. The strategy is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, especially SDG 6, which attempts to guarantee the accessibility and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. It comprises a number of goals and targets that must be met by 2030. This push to guarantee universal access for everyone by 2030 is supported by the Water Resources Bill, the Open Defecation Free Road Map, and the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (PEWASH).
Several initiatives in Nigeria related to water and sanitation have received strong backing from international organizations like UNICEF, WaterAid and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The Nigeria Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program (SURWASH) was approved by the World Bank in 2021. In recent years, AfDB also approved a $124.2 million Loan to Finance the Urban Water Sector Reform and Akure Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Nigeria. To guarantee that every Nigerian has access to clean, safe, and sustainable water, the government and international alliances are concentrating on both short-term infrastructure requirements and long-term plans.
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Yet, there is a growing demand for the government to enhance funding allotments for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) while also making sure that the funds are used effectively. The National Water Resources Policy outlined that the country would need to make significant financial investments in order to meet its water targets by 2030. According to a report by WaterAid, the current estimate for government Investment required to achieve SDG 6 by 2030 is 1.30% of GDP annually, representing $5.3 billion or ₦1.9 trillion. Sufficient investment, more rigorous policy implementation, and international collaboration are necessary to meet future demands and reach SDG targets.