Water Pollution In Nigeria: Understanding The Crisis

Despite being rich in water resources, Nigeria faces a significant water crisis. The country's water supply is plagued by pollution from industrial waste, agricultural runoff, domestic sewage, flooding, and oil exploration activities. These issues have led to a scarcity of clean drinking water, with only 19% of the population having access. Water-borne diseases, such as diarrhoea and cholera, are prevalent and result in high mortality rates, especially among children. The Nigerian government has implemented initiatives to improve access to water and sanitation, but the challenges of poor management, inadequate infrastructure, and the need for improved water treatment persist.

Industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and sewage

Despite having abundant water resources, Nigeria faces a severe water crisis due to water pollution. Industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and sewage are significant contributors to this crisis, severely impacting groundwater and surface water quality and the health of Nigerians.

Industrial waste is a major source of water pollution in Nigeria. Various industries discharge their waste into water bodies without proper treatment, contaminating water sources with toxic chemicals and heavy metals. These pollutants not only affect the water quality but also pose risks to the ecosystems and people who rely on these water sources for their daily needs.

Agricultural runoff is another critical factor in Nigeria's water pollution crisis. The excessive use of pesticides, fertilizers, and other agrochemicals in farming activities contributes to water pollution. When it rains, these chemicals are washed into rivers, lakes, and groundwater, leading to contamination. This runoff contains high levels of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, causing eutrophication in water bodies, leading to oxygen depletion and the death of aquatic life.

Sewage, or domestic sewage, also plays a significant role in water pollution in Nigeria. Inefficient sewage treatment and disposal systems result in the discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage into water bodies. This contamination introduces harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens into water sources, posing serious health risks to humans and ecosystems.

The combination of industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and sewage pollution has severe ecological and human health consequences. It affects water quality, leading to the destruction of aquatic habitats and the loss of biodiversity. Moreover, polluted water sources increase the prevalence of waterborne diseases, further exacerbating the public health crisis in Nigeria.

Addressing these issues requires effective local and national mitigation measures, improved water treatment facilities, and sustainable water management strategies. It is essential to implement stricter regulations and laws to control industrial waste disposal, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and upgrade sewage treatment infrastructure to alleviate the water pollution crisis in Nigeria and protect the health and well-being of its citizens.

Waterborne diseases and health impacts

Waterborne diseases are a significant health concern in Nigeria, with an estimated 70% of water at the point of consumption being contaminated, according to UNICEF. This has dire consequences for the health of Nigerians, especially children. UNICEF reports that 117,000 children die in Nigeria each year due to water-related illnesses, the highest number worldwide.

Several factors contribute to water pollution in Nigeria, including industrial waste, agricultural runoff, domestic sewage, flooding, and open defecation. These sources of pollution severely impact ground and surface water quality. For instance, sewage leaking into water sources can cause cholera outbreaks, as was the case in a camp for internally displaced persons in Abuja.

The lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities exacerbates the problem. Many Nigerians, particularly in rural areas, struggle to access potable water. This forces them to rely on contaminated water sources, increasing their risk of contracting waterborne diseases.

Waterborne diseases commonly found in Nigeria include cholera, typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis A, and dengue fever. These diseases can cause severe health issues such as diarrhoea, muscle aches, fatigue, sweating, constipation, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and in some cases, even death.

The impact of waterborne diseases goes beyond the immediate health consequences. They also contribute to socioeconomic issues. For example, when children fall ill, they may miss school, and their education suffers. Additionally, when water sources are scarce or contaminated, children are often tasked with fetching water, impacting their access to education and increasing their risk of waterborne illnesses.

Oil industry and environmental degradation

Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa and the eleventh largest producer of crude oil globally. Oil extraction in Nigeria has caused extensive environmental degradation and health issues in many communities, particularly in the ecologically sensitive Niger Delta, where nearly all of the oil extraction takes place. The Nigerian economy is heavily dependent on its petroleum resources, and in conjunction with governmental corruption and high international demand, environmental externalities are largely ignored. Multinational oil companies with little stake in the country's development and environment are responsible for most extraction projects and the resulting environmental damage.

The main environmental impacts of oil extraction are oil spills, land use change, and gas flaring. Oil spills are common in the Niger Delta, and inadequate cleanup efforts have resulted in the loss of delicate ecosystems, fisheries, and farmland. Large areas of rainforest and mangrove ecosystems have been cleared or degraded by the oil extraction process. Gas flaring has contributed to global warming and created serious health hazards for nearby communities. It has also led to billions of dollars in waste and energy excess, as well as local environmental catastrophes.

The effects of oil pollution on the health of local communities are not well understood, but studies have documented high levels of disease symptoms and environmental distress associated with oil pollution in the Niger Delta. The fear of pipeline explosions, oil spills, and fires, as well as visual and chemosensory cues, mediate risk perception in the area. Emotional distress from the fear of exposure sources is a significant mediator of health symptoms at the community level.

To address these issues, Nigeria needs to diversify its economy, reduce its dependence on oil revenues, curb government corruption, and effectively regulate oil extraction. International consumers can also play a role by pressuring the Nigerian government and multinational oil companies to extract oil more conscientiously or discontinue extraction.

Water treatment and infrastructure

Nigeria has faced challenges in providing its population with access to water and sanitation services. In 2015, around 60 million people lacked access to "at least basic" water, and in 2018, the Nigerian government declared a state of emergency in the water sector. This situation has been attributed to various factors, including inadequate infrastructure, a lack of required human capital, poor investment, and a deficient regulatory environment.

The country's water infrastructure development has been analysed through the lens of dam management and development, dam sizes, and dam use and purpose. The National Water Resources Development Masterplan of 1995 and 2013, along with the Agriculture Development Programs (ADPs), are key policy documents that guide water infrastructure development. However, it is noted that rural water supply has historically been subordinated to agricultural development, resulting in inadequate attention and unequal treatment.

Nigeria's largest city, Lagos, is surrounded by water from the sea and a lagoon. However, the raw water in the lagoon is too polluted for use, so the city relies on the Ogun and Owo rivers for its water supply. Lagos has several water treatment plants, including the oldest one in Iju on the Ogun River, built in 1910, and expanded to a capacity of 45 million gallons per day. Another plant was built on the Owo River in the 1970s, and the biggest plant so far, commissioned in Adiyan in 1991, also draws from the Owo River and has a capacity of 70 million gallons per day. Additionally, there are seven mini-waterworks drawing from local sources, with a combined capacity of 18 million gallons per day.

The Federal Capital Territory Sewage Treatment Plant, located in the Wupa district of Abuja, treats wastewater. However, inadequate water supply remains a significant challenge in some states, such as Enugu, due to mismanaged infrastructures and erosion at the Ajali Water Works, which supplies 77,000 cubic metres of water daily.

To address these issues, the Nigerian government has implemented initiatives such as the National Urban Water Sector Reform Program (NUWSRP), which aims to improve infrastructure and increase access to quality piped water networks in urban areas. The government has also introduced public-private partnerships (PPP) in some states, although progress has been limited. Nigeria's National Water Supply and Sanitation Policy, approved in 2000, encourages private-sector participation, but actual decentralization and local government capacity remain low.

Meeting the Millennium Development Goal for water supply by 2015 required an annual investment of approximately N215 billion (US$1.3 billion). However, Nigeria's investment in the sector falls short, with a maximum of N82.5 billion (US$0.5 billion) invested annually. Most public water and sanitation investments in the country are financed by donors due to limited funding from state and federal levels and the lack of resources at the local government level.

Access to clean water and sanitation

Nigeria is facing a significant water crisis, with an estimated 70% of water at the point of consumption being contaminated. This has dire consequences for public health, especially for children under five, who are the most vulnerable. UNICEF reports that 117,000 children die in Nigeria each year from water-related illnesses, the highest number worldwide.

The water crisis in Nigeria is attributed to various factors, including industrial waste, agricultural runoff, domestic sewage, flooding, and open defecation. These sources of pollution severely impact groundwater and surface water quality. Inadequate water treatment and inefficient resource management further exacerbate the problem.

The Nigerian government has recognized the urgency of the situation and has taken steps to address the water crisis. In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari declared a State of Emergency and launched the National Action Plan (NAP), a 13-year strategy aimed at ensuring universal access to sustainable and safely managed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services by 2030. The plan includes initiatives such as the construction of additional water points and sanitation compartments, the National Urban Water Sector Reform Program (NUWSRP), and the rehabilitation of water treatment plants.

Community-led initiatives, such as the Imo State Water and Sewerage Corporation (ISWSC) in Imo State, have also played a crucial role in improving access to clean water and sanitation. Through institutional, policy, and regulatory reforms, the ISWSC now supplies water to 3 million Nigerians in Imo State. Additionally, international organizations like UNICEF are supporting the Nigerian government in providing access to clean water and improving sanitary conditions, especially in areas housing internally displaced persons.

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