RIVER BASINS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES ACT
Act · Water
An Act establishes River Basin Development Authorities to manage water resources and develop irrigation schemes across Nigeria's major basins. It targets farmers, rural communities, and state governments in these areas. This promotes agricultural growth and ensures domestic water supply.
What Is This Policy?
An Act establishing River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) across the country's major drainage basins to develop and manage water resources, irrigation schemes, and dam infrastructure for agriculture and domestic water supply.
Who Does It Target?
Farmers within designated river basin areas Rural and urban communities dependent on basin water resources State governments and local government areas within each basin Federal Ministry of Water Resources
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
To harness the water resources of each river basin for irrigation, domestic supply, and flood control; promote agricultural development in basin areas; and coordinate multipurpose use of basin resources.
Key Features
Eleven Authorities: Twelve RBDAs covering all major river basins including the Niger, Benue, Sokoto-Rima, and Chad basins. Dam and Irrigation Construction: Each authority plans, builds, and operates dams, reservoirs, and irrigation canals. Water Allocation: RBDAs regulate the allocation of water from shared river systems. Flood Control: Manages water levels to reduce flood damage to farmland and settlements. Rural Water Supply: Supports provision of potable water to rural communities within the basin.
Current Status
In force. Nigeria's eleven River Basin Development Authorities are operational, managing irrigation schemes, dams, and water resources across their respective basin areas.
Farmers may apply for irrigated plot allocation through the relevant RBDA State governments partner with RBDAs for large infrastructure projects Communities apply for rural water supply schemes Application method: Relevant RBDA headquarters or zonal office
Important Terms
Water use rights are non-transferable without authority approval Irrigated plot holders must pay water rates as determined Non-agricultural use of allocated water requires separate authorisation
Official Resources
Website: www.waterresources.gov.ng Policy Summary Document | Federal Republic of Nigeria
Legal Framework
Enacted under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution. Operates alongside the Water Resources Act (now National Water Resources Act 2023), the Land Use Act 1978 for reservoir and irrigation land, the Environmental Impact Assessment Act 1992, and the National Water Policy. Draws on the Dublin Principles on water resources management.