Water Policy Vol 9 No 1 pp 105–118 © IWA Publishing 2007 doi:10.2166/wp.2006.002

Challenges to managing water resources along the hydrological boundaries in Nigeria

O. Adeoti

At present, Nigeria is undertaking a broad reform program process of its water resources. In order to complement this effort, this paper examines the challenges to managing water resources along the hydrological boundaries in Nigeria. It reviews the present situation of participatory approach in Nigeria using official regulatory documents and other relevant materials and complements it with primary information sources. Findings indicate that: (1) there are no legal regimes or provisions for a river basin-based participatory approach in Nigeria and (2) there is/are no stakeholder management platform(s) that consist(s) of both government and non-government bodies in practice, but conditions do exist for the implementation of a participatory approach in Nigeria, which range from political willingness to socio-economic, environmental and sustainability issues. The paper closes with suggestions about possible interventions, which also stand as challenges on their own, to remedy the identified policy gaps in Nigeria.

Keywords: Nigeria; Policy challenges; River basin management approach; Stakeholder participation; Water resources management

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