As the world marks 2024 World Water Day, Nigeria continues to face significant challenges in providing access to clean water, particularly in rural areas. Despite having abundant water resources covering over 60 percent of the country, millions of Nigerians still lack access to safe drinking water. Urgent government action is required at all levels to improve access to potable water.
In Nigeria, the quest for clean water remains a pressing issue, especially amidst conflicts and displacement caused by banditry and terrorism. Many Nigerians, particularly those displaced, lack access to clean water for their daily needs, underscoring the critical importance of this year’s World Water Day theme, “Water for Peace.”
According to Macrotrends, only about 20.60 percent of Nigerians had access to clean water in 2016, with a slight increase to approximately 21.67 percent in 2020.
In many parts of the country, people rely on purchasing water daily from vendors, known as mai ruwa. A teacher in Benue State, Mr. Johnson Eka, shared his experience of spending N18,000 on water for just one week during a recent visit to Otukpo.
Furthermore, access to clean water is crucial for public health and well-being, yet Nigeria’s water, sanitation, and hygiene sectors were declared to be in a state of emergency in 2018, with around 60 million Nigerians lacking access to drinking water.
Women and girls bear the brunt of water scarcity, often travelling long distances to collect water, which impacts their well-being, education, and safety.
The scarcity of potable water in Nigeria stems from various factors, including inadequate infrastructure, governance issues, rapid urbanisation, and environmental degradation. Both rural and urban areas face challenges with unreliable water supply systems, leading to the use of unsafe alternatives and exposure to waterborne diseases.
Despite global targets for universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030, Nigeria faces significant hurdles, including corruption and insufficient investment in water infrastructure.
Water scarcity not only impacts public health but also economic productivity, particularly in key sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing.
Addressing Nigeria’s water crisis requires concerted efforts from the government, including investment in water infrastructure, transparency and accountability in water management, and leveraging technology for water treatment and distribution.
World Water Day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to prioritise access to clean water, an essential resource for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
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