Credit: Adebayo Alabi
Access to clean drinking water is an essential requirement for human survival. Unfortunately, many households around the world lack access to sufficient quantities of safe drinking water, and Nigeria is no exception. According to the Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) of 2021, 81% of household members in Nigeria have access to drinking water when needed. This percentage is relatively consistent between urban and rural areas, with 80.3% of urban households having access to drinking water and 81.5% of rural households.
However, the MICS also identified that there are still households that are unable to access sufficient quantities of drinking water when needed. The survey found that the main reasons for this were:
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Lack of infrastructure: Many households reported that the lack of infrastructure, such as a water pump, well, or borehole, made it difficult to access sufficient quantities of water.
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High cost: Some households reported that the cost of accessing clean drinking water was too high, making it difficult for them to access enough water for their needs.
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Distance to water source: For some households, the distance to the nearest water source was too far, making it difficult to access water when needed.
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Seasonal variations: In some areas, water availability can vary greatly depending on the season. This can make it difficult for households to access sufficient quantities of water during certain times of the year.
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Quality of water: In some cases, households reported that the quality of the available water was poor, making it unsuitable for drinking.
The availability of drinking water in Nigeria varies significantly by region, according to the Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) of 2021. The percentage of households with access to drinking water is highest in the South West region, with 93.3% of households reporting that they have access to drinking water when needed. In contrast, the North West region has the lowest percentage of households with access to drinking water, with only 74.4% reporting access.
The North East region also has a relatively low percentage of households with access to drinking water, with 80.5% reporting access. Similarly, the North Central region, South South region, and South East region all have percentages of households with access to drinking water below the national average of 81%.
The disparities in access to drinking water across regions highlight the need for targeted efforts to improve water infrastructure and increase access to clean drinking water in regions with lower rates of access. Addressing the main reasons for inadequate access to water, such as lack of infrastructure, high costs, distance to water sources, and poor water quality, is essential to improving access to safe drinking water for all Nigerians, regardless of their region.
The Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) of 2021 also provides information on the percentage of households with access to drinking water by state. The state with the highest percentage of households with access to drinking water is Ondo, with 95.2% of households reporting access. Bauchi and Lagos follow closely, with 94.9% and 94.8% of households respectively reporting access to drinking water.
The states with the lowest percentages of households with access to drinking water are Jigawa, with only 59.7% of households reporting access, Imo with 62.2%, and Plateau with 63.3%. Other states with relatively low percentages of households with access to drinking water include Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Borno, and Sokoto.
The MICS survey provides valuable insight into the current state of water access in Nigeria. While the percentage of households with access to drinking water is relatively high, there are still significant challenges that need to be addressed. Improving infrastructure, reducing costs, and increasing access to water sources are all essential steps in ensuring that all Nigerians have access to sufficient quantities of safe drinking water.