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Nigeria'sWaterResourcesandSpatialVariationinWaterQuality

TECHNICALREPORT·MARCH2015

DOI:10.13140/RG.2.1.2843.9209

1AUTHOR:

AyotundeOlaKolawole

HebrewUniversityofJerusalem

6PUBLICATIONS0CITATIONS

SEEPROFILE

Availablefrom:AyotundeOlaKolawole

Retrievedon:03September2015

1

Kolawole Ayotunde (888404134)

Department of Environmental Quality Sciences.

Report on Nigeria Water Resources and Spatial Variation

in Water Quality.

Submitted to

Dr. Iddo Kan.

2

Summary

This report gives an overview of water resources, uses and quality in Nigeria. It is indeed

important to get you acquainted with the geography, climate, demographics and hydrology of

Nigeria so as to draw out some underlining features. It was shown that the country has abundant

water resources, although they are unevenly distributed. This makes water scarcity evident in

certain areas, especially in the Northern part of Nigeria where annual precipitation is very low.

Agriculture culminated the largest user of water in Nigeria. There is paucity of information on

re-use or recycling of waste water in Nigeria. Water quality is deteriorating, as poor sanitation

threatens groundwater sources. Thus, waste water management could be a panacea. Research

into this aspect could alleviate the problem of water scarcity and ensure sustainability of water

resources in constrained areas and diaspora. Numerous researchers had shown that different

factors contributed to spatial variation in water quality in Nigeria.

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Table of Content

Summary 2

Geography, Climate and Demographics of Nigeria 4

Map of Nigeria (Figure 1) 4

Vegetation of Nigeria (Figure 2) 5

Hydrology of Nigeria 6

Distribution of Groundwater Resources in Nigeria (Table 1) 7

Notable Dams in Nigeria (Table 2) 8

Users of water (Figure 3) 9

Water scarcity in Northern part of Nigeria (Figure 4) 9

When do water become a scarce commodity in Nigeria? 10

Spatial variation in water quality in Nigeria 11

References 12

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Geography, Climate and Demographics of Nigeria

Nigeria is located in the tropical zone of West Africa between Longitudes 2° 49'E and 14° 37'E

and Latitudes 4° 16'N and 13° 52' North of the Equator. The total area is 923,770 square

kilometers [1]. From figure 1, Nigeria is bordered to the west by Benin, to the northwest and

north by Niger, to the northeast by Chad and to the east by Cameroon, while the Atlantic Ocean

forms the southern limits of Nigerian territory.

Figure 1: Map of Nigeria

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Figure 2 showed concisely the various vegetation zones in Nigeria. According to Food and

Agricultural Organization [2], three broad ecological zones are commonly distinguished in the

country:

(i) The Northern Sudan Savanna

(ii) The Guinea Savanna zone or Middle Belt

(iii) The Southern rainforest zone.

Figure 2: Vegetation of Nigeria

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The climate is semi-arid in the North and humid in the South. There exist an ultra-humid strip

along the coast with rainfall averages of over 2,000 millimeters pear year, where it rains almost

all year round. Rainfall patterns are marked by distinct wet and dry seasons [2]. Rainfall is

concentrated in the period June-September. Deficiency in total annual precipitation is a problem

in parts of the country, particularly in the Northern parts. In most other areas, however, the

major problems are the distribution in time and space and the low dependability of rainfall.

Mean annual rainfall over the whole country is estimated at 1,150 mm [1, 2].

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with population of about 173.6 million [3]. It

accounts for approximately one sixth of the African population (or one fifth of Sub-Saharan

African population). Agriculture use to be the mainstay of the economy, but the discovery of

oil have caused a high dependency on oil revenues by the government.

Hydrology of Nigeria

Nigeria has abundant water resources covering an enormous and diverse landscape, although

they are unevenly distributed over the country [4].The country is well drained with a close

network of rivers and streams. Some of these, particularly the smaller ones in the north, are

seasonal. Four principal surface water basins exist in Nigeria [2], they are;

i. The Niger Basin: it has an area of 584,193 km2, which is 63 percent of the total area of

the country, and covers a large area in Central and Northwestern part of Nigeria. The

most important rivers in the basin are the Niger and its tributaries Benue, Sokoto, and

Kaduna.

ii. The Lake Chad Basin: it is located in the Northeast with an area of 179,282 km2, or 20

percent of the total area of the country. It is the only internal drainage basin in Nigeria.

Important rivers are the Komadougou Yobe and its tributaries Hadejia, Jama’are, and

Komadougou Gena.

iii. The Southwestern Littoral Basins: they have an area of 101,802 km2, which is 11 percent

of the total area of the country. The rivers originate in the hilly areas to the South and

West of the Niger River.

iv. The Southeastern Littoral Basins, with the major watercourses being the Cross and Imo

Rivers. They have an area of 58,493 km2, which is six percent of the total area of the

country, and receive much of their runoff from the Plateau and Mountain areas along

the Cameroon border.

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Nigeria has extensive groundwater resources, located in eight recognized hydrogeological areas

together with local groundwater in shallow alluvial (fadama) aquifers adjacent to major rivers

(Table 1):

1. The Sokoto Basin Zone comprises sedimentary rocks in northwest Nigeria. Yields range

from below 1.0 to 5.0 liter per second (L/s).

2. The Chad Basin Zone comprises sedimentary rocks. There are three distinct aquifer

zones: Upper, Middle, Lower. Borehole yields are about 1.2 to 1.6 L/s from the Upper

unconfined aquifer and 1.5 to 2.1 L/s from the Middle aquifer.

3. The Middle Niger Basin Zone comprises sandstone aquifers yielding between 0.7 and

5.0 L/s and the Alluvium in the Niger Valley yielding between 7.5 and 37.0 L/s.

4. The Benue Basin Zone is the least exploited basin in Nigeria extending from the

Cameroon border to the Niger-Benue confluence. The sandstone aquifers in the area

yield between 1.0 and 8.0 L/s.

5. The Southwestern Zone comprises sedimentary rocks bounded in the south by the

coastal Alluvium and in the north by the Basement Complex.

6. The South-Central Zone is made up of Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments centered on

the Niger Delta. Yields are from 3.0 to 7.0 L/s.

7. The Southeastern Zone comprises Cretaceous sediments in the Anambra and Cross

River basins. Borehole numbers are low due to abundant surface water resources.

8. The Basement Complex comprises over 60 percent of the country’s area. It consists of

low permeability rocks and groundwater occurs in the weathered mantle and fracture

zones with yields of between 1.0 and 2.0 L/s.

Table 1: Distribution of Groundwater Resources in Nigeria

Distribution of Groundwater

Resources in Nigeria Hydrological Area (HA)

Groundwater

Resources

(m3)

Present Towards Year 2020

Demand

(m3)

Water Use Rate

(%)

Demand

(m3)

Water Use Rate

(%)

North West- 1 4,340 20 0.4 290 7

Central West- 2 8,180 20 0.2 260 3

Central East- 3 6,990 15 0.2 300 4

Central East- 4 4,390 5 0.1 180 4

South East- 5 7,150 30 0.4 730 10

South West- 6 9,020 70 0.8 830 9

South West- 7 6,280 40 0.7 710 12

North East- 8 5,580 60 1.0 620 11

TOTAL 51,930 260 0.5 3,920 8

Source: Okoye & Achakpa [5].

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Table 2: Notable Dams in Nigeria

H.A Dam Active Capacity

(mcm)

Dam Height

(m) Objective Completed Year

1 Zibiya 121 21.5 Irri/W.S 1990

1 Zobe 170 18.9 Irri/W.S 1983

1 Bakolori 403 48.0 Irri/W.P 1982

1 Goronyo 833 20.0 Irri/W.S 1984

1 Kainji 11,500 65.5 H.P 1968

1 Kubli 62 23.0 Irri 1992

2 Kontagora 200 32.0 Irri U.C

2 Asa 344 27.0 W.S -

2 Kagara 39 31.0 W.S U.C

2 Jebba 1,000 40.0 H.P 1983

2 Omi 220 43.0 Irri U.C

2 Zaria 29.8 15.0 W.S 1974

2 Kangimi 59.3 19.2 Irri/W.S 1975

2 Shiroro 6,050 105.0 H.P 1989

2 Suleja 48.5 27.8 W.S -

2 Usuma 100 45.0 W.S 1984

3 Balanga 63 41.0 Irri 1987

3 Dadin Kowa 1,770 42.0 Irri/H.P 1988

3 Kiri 325 37.0 Irri 1982

4 Doma 28.5 15.7 Irri 1988

6 Ikere Gorge 565 47.5 Irri/W.S/H.P U.C

6 Oyan 254 30.4 Irri/W.S/H.P 1983

8 Erinle 92.5 27.0 W.S 1989

8 Gari 203 22.0 Irri 1980

8 Challawa 900 38.0 Irri/W.S 1992

8 Watari 92.7 19.8 Irri 1980

8 Tiga 1,845 47.2 Irri/W.S 1975

8 Kafin Zaki 2,500 40.0 Irri U.C

8 Tomas 56.6 13.7 Irri 1976

8 Jakar 54.5 14.3 Irri 1976

8 Alau 106 9.5 Irri/W.S 1972

Irri: Irrigation, W.S: Water supply, H.P: Hydropower, U.C: Under Construction H.A: Hydrological Area

Source: Okoye & Achakpa [5]

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From FAO reports shown in Figure 3, agriculture accounted for the largest water user with 5.5

km3, or 69 percent of the total water withdrawal, followed by the domestic sector with about

1.7 km3 (21 percent) and industry with 0.8 km3 (10 percent).

Figure 3: Users of water (FAO, 2005).

When do water become a scarce commodity in Nigeria?

It has been a known fact that climate change, seasonality, dry lands and desertification will

affect the demand for and supply of water in any location. Urbanization and population is fast

growing in Nigeria, more than twice as many as in 1990. By 2030, Africa's urban population is

forecast to rise to almost 50 percent of the population, or some 654 million people [6]. Nigeria

however have a larger share of this population size. Population growth in urban areas is driving

demand for water to grow. More industry requires more water and properly raises expectations

for the quality of water services. According to World Bank [7], a projected increase in the size

of the middle class might lead to a demand for better governance and more water services.

Water use in rural areas will grow likewise, putting more pressure on dwindling water

resources.

Water quality is deteriorating, as poor sanitation threatens groundwater sources. Thus, waste

water management could be a panacea. Climate change will add uncertainty to the precarious

future of Nigerian water resources. Rising environmental threats from oil and gas industries

will also affect the quality water. Nigeria which is endowed with both renewable and non-

renewable resources, thus pollution is inevitable. As a developing country, many people still

69%

21%

10%

Sectoral water users

Agriculture Domestic sector Industry

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live below poverty line in Nigeria, especially in the rural areas. Intensive agriculture, recreation,

and the manufacturing industry are affecting water quality throughout the world [8].

Northern Areas of Nigeria are notably faced with problem of water scarcity (Figure 4) due to

low annual precipitation.

Figure 4: Water scarcity in Northern part of Nigeria.

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Spatial variation in water quality in Nigeria

Variation in the quality and quantity of water is widely studied across the globe. This variation

was however reported to depend on both natural processes and anthropogenic interferences [9].

According to a study by Ishaq et.al. [9] on spatial and temporal variation in water quality of

River Benue in Nigeria, selected water quality parameters like turbidity, temperature,

conductivity, pH, total solids (TS), total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS),

hardness, alkalinity, chloride, phosphate, bio-chemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical

oxygen demand (COD) and dissolved oxygen (DO) were analyzed for different stations and

seasonal changes. Three different seasons were considered for the study. However, discriminant

analysis identified all the parameters to discriminate between the seasons with 99.2% correct

assignation. Two discriminant functions were found and the total variance cumulative was

100% between seasons. TS were the highest contributor in discriminant functions of season 1

and 2. Their study concluded that all the parameters were responsible for significant seasonal

variations in River Benue water quality. They also suggested that anthropogenic activities,

mainly the discharge of effluents from industries, run-off from agricultural farm land and waste

water from residential areas into river accounted for the observed variability in the water

quality.

Another study on water quality of rivers in Nigeria by Arowolo et.al [8] showed that there was

variation in water quality in Nigeria, thus reflecting differences in land management and the

physical environment. This difference is as a result of natural variability, societal development

and pollutant inputs. They discovered that water quality in the vicinity of urban areas was

influenced by industrial and urban development. They recommended that a system that

monitors the changing quality of the surface water resources is highly necessary.

Furthermore, a study also justified the assessment of water quality in Nigeria by Chinedu et.al.

[10]. They made comparisons between drinking and water quality standards laid by World

Health Organization and Nigeria Standard for Drinking Water (NSDW). Their findings was

that, portable water samples were within the standard for consumable water, but the BOD of

the effluent water showed that the water was contaminated and the use of the water for domestic

purposes by the inhabitants could be hazardous.

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References

[1] Wikipedia (2014). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria.

[2] Food & Agriculture Organization (2005). Water Profile of Nigeria. Water report no.29.

[3] World Bank (2013). Population of Nigeria. data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL

[4] WHO/UNEP (1997). Water Pollution Control - A Guide to the Use of Water Quality

Management Principles. In: Helmer, R. and Hespanhol, I. (eds). United Nations

Environment Programme, the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council and

the World Health Organization. ISBN 0 419 22910 8.

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/resourcesquality/wpccasestudy4.pdf.

[5] Okoye J.K., & Achakpa M. (2007). Background Study on Water and Energy Issues in

Nigeria to inform the National Consultative Conference on Dams and Development.

Report submitted to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources & Society

for Water and Public Health Protection.

[6] Michael Jacobsen, Michael Webster & Kalanithy Vairavamoorthy (2012). The Future

of Water in African Cities: Why Waste Water? Water Partnership Program

www.worldbank.org/water.

[7] World Bank (2005). Climate Variability and Water Resources Degradation in Kenya,

Working paper.

[8] A.M. Taiwo, O.O. Olujimi, O. Bamgbose & T.A. Arowolo (2012). Surface Water

Quality Monitoring in Nigeria: Situational Analysis and Future Management Strategy,

Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment, Dr. Voudouris (Ed.), ISBN: 978-953-51-

0486-5.

[9] Ishaq S.E., Agada P.O., Rufus S. (2012). Spatial and Temporal Variation in Water

Quality of River Benue, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Protection, 2012, 3, 915-

921 http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jep.2012.328106.

[10] Chinedu S.N., Nwinyi O.C, Oluwadamisi A.Y. & Eze V.N. (2011). Assessment of

Water Quality in Canaan land, Ota, Southwest Nigeria. Agriculture and Biology Journal

of North America ISSN Print: 2151-7517, ISSN Online: 2151-7525,

doi:10.5251/abjna.2011.2.4.577.583.