Climate adaptation strategies that focus on sustainable water management can significantly improve agricultural resilience, ensuring food security for millions of Nigerians.
Over the past 30 years, Nigeria has experienced dramatic changes in its water supply. Lake Chad, once spanning 25,000 square kilometers in the 1960s with approximately one-quarter of its surface within Nigeria, has receded by over 90% to just 2,000 square kilometers. However, it has partially recovered to 14,000 square kilometers in recent years. Groundwater levels in parts of northern and northeastern Nigeria, particularly within the Chad and Sokoto Basins, have declined significantly—in some areas by 10 to 15 meters or more—primarily due to unregulated over-abstraction for irrigation and urban use. These changes coincide with increasingly erratic rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and more frequent extreme weather events that have disrupted traditional water availability cycles.
Nigeria’s water supply needs are substantial and growing, and it is fundamentally affected by climate and environmental factors, with profound implications for both agricultural productivity and personal consumption. Agriculture accounts for approximately 44% of total water withdrawal, supporting irrigation for crops such as maize, cassava, and rice, as well as livestock and fisheries. Municipal and domestic use accounts for 40% of withdrawals, meeting the drinking, cooking, and hygiene needs of a rapidly urbanizing population. Industry consumes the remaining 16%. Annual water withdrawal is approximately 12.47 billion cubic meters. While demand is increasing due to population and economic growth, current projections estimate total demand will reach roughly 16.58 billion cubic meters by 2030. However, demand for specific sectors, such as surface-water irrigation, is expected to triple in that same period.
Nigeria’s water supply derives from both surface and groundwater sources. Surface water resources, estimated at 214 billion cubic meters annually, primarily flow through the Niger and Benue River systems, which drain approximately two-thirds of the country and account for 60% of total runoff. The Niger Delta, the world’s third-largest delta, contains extensive mangrove ecosystems and significant freshwater resources. Renewable groundwater is estimated at 87 billion cubic meters annually. This resource is distributed between the crystalline basement complex, which covers roughly 60% of the country, and sedimentary basins, which cover the remaining 40% across the north, south, and central regions. Currently, approximately 59% of freshwater abstractions come from groundwater, which serves as the primary drinking water source for about 60% of the population.
Multiple pressures threaten Nigeria’s water supply. Climate change has intensified droughts in the north while increasing flood risks in southern regions, particularly in coastal cities like Lagos, where poor urban planning and inadequate stormwater management compound the problem. Oil extraction in the Niger Delta has caused widespread contamination, with an estimated 13 million barrels of crude oil spilled over 50 years, destroying wetlands and contaminating both surface and groundwater. Additionally, 37% of boreholes are currently non-functional due to poor maintenance, and competition between pastoralists and farmers over diminishing water resources has contributed to regional instability.
Nigeria has implemented several strategies to conserve and expand access to water. The National Water Resources Policy and the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program aim to improve infrastructure and access. Twelve River Basin Development Authorities manage water resources across hydrological areas, while climate-smart agricultural practices, including crop diversification and improved irrigation, are being promoted. The government has also committed to integrated water resources management and is working with international partners to rehabilitate damaged ecosystems, particularly in the Niger Delta.
Addressing Nigeria’s climate issues is essential to securing its water supply. Climate adaptation strategies that focus on sustainable water management can significantly improve agricultural resilience, ensuring food security for millions of Nigerians. Investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, improved groundwater monitoring, and ecosystem restoration can help buffer against climate variability. By tackling climate change through both mitigation and adaptation measures, Nigeria can protect its water resources for future generations while meeting the growing needs of its population for food, drinking water, and sanitation.
This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard Nigeria Country Manager, Michael Johnson.
Learn More Resources
FAO AQUASTAT. (2016). Country Profile – Nigeria. Food and Agriculture Organization.
JICA. (2014). The Project for Review and Update of Nigeria National Water Resources Master Plan. Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Winrock International. (2021). Nigeria Water Resources Profile Overview. USAID.
Adelena, M.A., et al. (2022). Nigerian Water Resources Management – An Overview. Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, 18(1), 23-30.
Springer Nature. (2025). A Nine-Year Critical Review of Progress and Future Strategies for Sustainable Development Goal 6 in Nigeria from 2016 to 2024. Discover Sustainability.