Abstract
With the limited data available, the components of the hydrologic cycle of which Nigeria's water resources form a part cannot be adequately quantified. However, some assessment of the water “reserves” of the surface and underground water sources indicate that there are large supplies that can be developed in Nigeria.
The exploitation of Nigeria's water resources is in an early stage. Despite the progress that has been made in water supply development since the first waterworks in Nigeria was commissioned in Lagos in 1915, many Nigerians still have no access to a modern water supply. Water shortages exist periodically in almost every major town and are present in many rural areas of the country much of each year.
New water laws are needed, as is the definition of the powers of the different water authorities, viz., the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, the River Basin Authorities, and the States' Water Boards. The goals of the water policy must be to make available enough good quality water for domestic uses and to exploit enough water for the use of rapidly growing industries and the year-round needs of agriculture, thereby lessening the adverse effect of the dry season.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References Cited
Adefila, S. F., 1975, Decline in pressure head of the “Middle Zone” Aquifer of the Chad Basin in parts of southeastern Niger and northeastern Nigeria: Jour. Mining Geol., v. 12, n. 1,2, p. 23–36.
Aloni, S. (Ed.), 1970, The Water Laws of Israel (2nd Ed.). State of Israel, Ministry of Agriculture, Water Commission.
Asseez, L. O., 1970, Geohydrological studies Kainji Dam (Nigeria): Unpublished text of a lecture delivered in Budapest in March 1970.
Asseez, L. O., 1970, Utilization of groundwater in Nigeria: Unpublished text of lecture given at Budapest in March 1970.
Ayoade, J. O. 1975, Water resources and their development in Nigeria: Hydrological Sciences, Bulletin XX4 12/1975, p. 581–591.
Carter, J. D., 1963, The groundwater resources of western Nigeria: Geological Survey of Nigeria, Report No. 1185.
Colson, B. E., 1969, Surface water Resources of Yobe River System (1963–1968).
Downing, R. A., 1971, Groundwater management in England and Wales: Quart. Jour. Eng. Geol., v. 4, n. 4, p. 328–334.
du Preez, J. W., 1962, Note on the development of groundwater in the water deficient areas of Nigeria. GSN Rept. No. 1306.
du Preez, J. W., and D. F. M. Barber, 1965. The Distribution and chemical quality of groundwater in northern Nigeria. Geological Survey of Nigeria Bulletin No. 36.
Enplan Group, 1974, Cross River Basin Pre-feasibility Report, Chap. 9, p. 1–7.
Erebor, H. N., 1977, Groundwater resources of Benin City: Final Year Project for B.Sc. Degree In Geology, University of Benin, under the supervision of G.E. Oteze.
Faniran, A., 1975, Rural water supply in Nigeria's Basement Complex: A study in alternatives: Proceedings of the Second World Congress on Water Resources, New Delhi, India, 12–16 December, 1975, p. 89–100.
Food and Agriculture Organization, 1969, Soil and walter resources survey of the Sokoto Valley—Nigeria. Vol. II Climate and hydrology: United Nations, 85 pp.
Frijlink, H. C., 1962, Hydrology of the Niger dams, Proceeding of the Symposium on “Harnessing the Niger”: p. 19–34.
Hazell, J. R. T., 1962, Hydrogeology of Eastern Nigeria Geological Survey of Nigeria, Report No. 5198.
Hitchen, C. S. and M. Kosten, 1962, Geological aspects of the Niger dams project, Proceedings of the Symposium “Hanessing the Niger”: p. 35–42.
Jones, D. G., 1953. A proposed water supply scheme for Auch Kukuruku Division, Benin Province. Geological Survey Nigeria, Report No. 1137.
Jones, G. P., 1971, ‘Management of Underground Walter Resources: Quart. Jour. Eng. Geol. v. 4, n. 4, p. 317–328.
Matheis, G., 1976, Short Review of the Geology of the Char Basin in Nigeria in Geology of Nigeria, p. 289–294.
Offodile, M. E., 1973, Hydrogeological approach to the flooding of Onycama mine, Proceedings of the 9th Annual Conference of the Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Socienty Jos, Dec. 1973.
Oteze, G. E., 1974, Hydrogeology of North-Western Nigera Unpublished Geological Survey of Nigeria, Report p. 30–31 36.
Oteze, G. E., 1976, The Hydrogeology of the north-western Nigerian Basin, in Geology of Nigeria, Chapter 31, p. 373 390
Schroeter, P. Y., 1974, The hydrogeology of Bauchi Towi Records of the Geological Survey of Nigeria, 1974, p. 17–23
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Oteze, G.E. Water resources in Nigeria. Geo 3, 177–184 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02473501
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02473501