SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES, INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION, AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Water resource management is essential for societal advancement, as water supports various human activities, including domestic, agricultural, industrial, and recreational uses. In Nigeria, the challenges of managing water resources are exacerbated by uneven distribution, population growth, and inadequate infrastructure. Despite Nigeria's significant renewable freshwater resources, only 69% of the population has access to basic water services, highlighting the nation's inefficiencies in water governance. The Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach offers a framework to address these challenges by promoting sustainable water use, stakeholder involvement, and the protection of ecosystems. However, Nigeria's implementation of IWRM faces hurdles, such as weak governance, conflicting institutional interests, and insufficient stakeholder engagement. This study examines the historical and current state of water resource management in Nigeria, its impact on national development, and the potential benefits of adopting IWRM. It explores lessons learned from global IWRM practices and provides recommendations for improving water governance to achieve the SDGs, particularly SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities). Addressing these challenges will require stronger institutional frameworks, cost recovery mechanisms, and the integration of local insights with international best practices.