Nigeria – A new report has exposed the dire state of Nigeria’s water infrastructure, blaming state governments for corruption and underfunding that have deepened the country’s water crisis.
Titled Dry Taps: A Damning Verdict on the State of Water Utilities in Nigeria, the report was released on March 20, 2025, ahead of World Water Day. It was compiled by civil society organizations, including the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Socio-Economic Research and Development Centre (SERDEC), and the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN).
Focusing on six states—Kogi, Oyo, Lagos, Enugu, Edo, and Kano—the study found that public water systems are either completely dysfunctional, severely neglected, or operating below capacity.
At the public launch of the report, Comrade Sikiru Waheed, General Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Service Employees (AUPCTRE), stated that the findings reflect a national crisis. He emphasized that rural communities, where 70% of Nigerians live, rely on unsafe water sources such as streams, rivers, boreholes, and private vendors.
Barrister Chima Williams, Executive Director of EDEN, described the situation as alarming. “Multi-billion naira water projects are deteriorating while citizens struggle for clean water. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Similarly, Comrade Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of RDI, linked the failing water infrastructure to rising cases of dysentery and waterborne diseases. “Negligence by the government has turned access to potable water into a luxury,” he added.
The report highlights the collapse of major water facilities, vandalization of smaller waterworks, and lack of funding for public utilities. In Edo State, for example, the Ikpoba River Dam—once a key water source—has been abandoned, while private fish farms now operate in the area. The dam’s pumping system, which once supplied 90 million gallons of water daily, is now non-functional.
Similar failures were reported in Lagos, Kano, Kogi, Enugu, and Oyo states. In response, the report’s authors are urging the government to declare a state of emergency in the water sector. They recommend increased public involvement in water policy, accountability for mismanaged funds, and urgent investment in infrastructure to prevent a full-blown water crisis.
By Damilola Adeleke | March 22, 2025
Adeleke Damilola (ACTION) is a versatile content writer with expertise in news writing and a seasoned media professional and broadcast specialist. Currently serving as News Editor for DNews Info, Damilola is also the CEO of the ACTION brand, committed to shaping lives and establishing a legacy of excellence for present and future generations.
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