NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES POLICY (1)

What Is This Policy?

The National Water Resources Policy (NWRP) is Nigeria's overarching framework for the sustainable development, management, and governance of all water resources — covering surface water, groundwater, transboundary rivers, and water for agricultural, industrial, domestic, and environmental uses across Nigeria's six river basins.

Who Does It Target?

All Nigerians requiring access to potable water, irrigation, and water for productive use State Water Supply and Sanitation Agencies (SWSSAs) responsible for urban and rural water delivery River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) managing Nigeria's six river basins Agricultural users relying on irrigation schemes and water storage infrastructure Industrial and commercial water consumers including power generation companies

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Ensure sustainable access to adequate, affordable, and safe water for all Nigerians in line with SDG 6 Integrate water resources planning across all sectors — agriculture, energy, environment, and domestic supply — through Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Address the deterioration of water infrastructure, reduce non-revenue water losses, and improve cost recovery Promote conservation, pollution control, and transboundary water cooperation with neighbouring states (Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Benin)

Key Features

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): Policy mandates cross-sectoral coordination of water development to prevent conflicts between agricultural, industrial, and domestic uses Six River Basin Authorities: Benin-Owena, Chad Basin, Cross River, Hadejia-Jama'are, Niger Delta, and Upper/Lower Niger RBDAs coordinate basin-level water governance Water Allocation Framework: Priority sequence: domestic drinking water → environmental flow → agricultural → industrial → energy uses Groundwater Protection: Policy requires aquifer protection zones and prevents industrial contamination of groundwater in all 36 states Transboundary Cooperation: Nigeria participates in Lake Chad Basin Commission and Niger River Authority to manage shared international water resources Private Sector Role: Policy supports public-private partnerships (PPPs) in water supply and irrigation infrastructure delivery

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active — supported by the National Action Plan for WASH Revitalisation 2018 and the $700M World Bank SURWASH Programme Implementing Body: Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR); River Basin Development Authorities; State Water Agencies Coverage: National — 36 states and FCT; six river basin regions Access Deficit: Only 67% of Nigerians have basic water access; 14% have safely-managed water (WASHNORM 2021) Funding: FMWR budget allocation, World Bank SURWASH ($700M IDA), UNICEF, EU, and bilateral development partners

How to Access

Communities: Contact State Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (SWSSA) or LGA Water Department for infrastructure connection or repair requests Agriculture/Industry: Apply for water use permits through River Basin Development Authorities; large-scale abstractions require FMWR licences Private Investors: Access PPP frameworks for water infrastructure through the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC): icrc.gov.ng Contact: FMWR: fmwr.gov.ng | Abuja: P.M.B. 159, Area 11, Garki, Abuja | +234 (0) 9 870 5555

Official Resources

Website: fmwr.gov.ng | rbda.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mabushi, Abuja Policy Summary | Source: FMWR, World Bank SURWASH, UNICEF, WaterAid, NESREA | February 2026

Legal Framework

The National Water Resources Policy operates under the Water Resources Act, the River Basins Development Authorities Act, and the National Water Resources Institute Act. It aligns with the Environmental Impact Assessment Act 1992, the NESREA Act 2007, and Nigeria's obligations under the Niger River Authority Act, the Lake Chad Basin Commission Agreement, and the UN Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses.