There is no denying the fact that Nigeria is a nation grappling with multiple challenges—ranging from decaying infrastructure and a poor maintenance culture to corruption, institutional inefficiency, and weak governance. Yet among these pressing concerns lies one crisis that remains dangerously underappreciated: Nigeria’s looming water crisis.
Across the country, the public pipe-borne water system has virtually collapsed. What once served as a lifeline for urban and rural communities alike has been rendered dysfunctional by decades of neglect, mismanagement, and lack of political will. Today, it exists largely as a shell of its former self. In response, Nigerians—left with few alternatives—have turned to self-help solutions, drilling boreholes and digging wells to meet domestic and commercial water needs.
Ordinarily, this adaptive response would be understandable. When government fails, people innovate to survive. However, the problem does not end there. A dangerous national mindset has emerged—one that assumes water is limitless simply because it flows freely from a borehole tap.
This assumption is not only false; it is perilous.
Water Is a Finite Resource
While water may appear abundant, it is not infinite. Many nations around the world are already confronting severe water scarcity. In parts of the United States—such as California and Arizona—water shortages have forced governments to ration supply, import water from other states, and enforce strict conservation measures. These regions understand a fundamental truth: water is a finite and strategic resource.
Countries like Israel and Australia, faced with chronic water shortages, have invested heavily in desalination technology—processing seawater to make it fit for human use. Beyond this, they have developed advanced water-recycling systems in which wastewater is treated and reused for agriculture, industry, and even domestic purposes. These societies recognize that no nation can survive, let alone thrive, without sustainable access to water.
Nigeria, unfortunately, is moving in the opposite direction.
A Culture of Waste and Absence of Regulation
Today, it is common to see water pumps left running long after storage tanks are full—water spilling endlessly onto the ground with no sense of accountability. Because water appears “free,” it is treated carelessly. There is little regulation, no widespread metering, minimal incentives to conserve, and insufficient public education on responsible usage.
The unchecked drilling of boreholes further compounds the problem. Excessive tapping of underground aquifers can lead to serious environmental consequences, including land subsidence, ground instability, and—under certain geological conditions—sinkholes or earth tremors. What appears to be a short-term solution risks becoming a long-term ecological disaster.
Population Growth and Future Risk
Nigeria’s population continues to grow rapidly, alongside accelerating urban expansion and housing development. With nearly every new building drilling its own borehole, pressure on underground water reserves intensifies. If this trend continues unchecked, a time will come—sooner than expected—when aquifers can no longer meet national demand.
When that moment arrives, the consequences will be devastating.
What Must Be Done: Policy Recommendations
To avert this impending crisis, immediate and coordinated government intervention is essential. The following measures are critical:
- Licensing and Regulation of Boreholes
Government must require licensing for all borehole drilling activities, backed by strict environmental and technical standards, including the mandatory installation of water-tank level switches to prevent overflow and wastage. - Community-Based Water Infrastructure
New housing estates and subdivisions should be required to install centralized water systems managed by local water authorities, rather than individual boreholes for every household. - Controlled Distribution Systems
Water should be pumped to homes on a regulated schedule, ensuring equitable access while significantly reducing waste. - Enforcement and Penalties
Authorities should impose substantial fines on communities and facilities that fail to install water-tank level switches or engage in wasteful water practices. - Investment in Wastewater Recycling
Local governments should invest in wastewater and solid-waste treatment facilities to enable water recycling and reuse. - Integrated Sewage Treatment Systems
State and local governments must create the legal and regulatory framework for integrated sewage treatment systems to eliminate the archaic soakaway model. This reform would improve sanitation, protect groundwater, and allow citizens to utilize their land more efficiently. - Economic Opportunities
Effective water and waste management can also drive job creation, stimulate innovation, and unlock downstream economic opportunities for citizens.
Conclusion: Culture Change Is Key
While regulations and infrastructure are essential, the most critical factor remains a change in mindset. Nigeria must embrace water conservation as a national ethic and public policy priority. Government must also commit to a modern wastewater management framework that integrates community waste streams into regional recycling and treatment systems.
These recommendations are not exhaustive, but they represent a vital starting point. With political will, public awareness, and disciplined implementation, Nigeria can still reverse course and safeguard this indispensable resource for future generations.
Nosa Osaikhuiwu is a writer, public commentator and an advocate for culture change in Nigeria writing from Houston, Texas.