Health
‘Water crisis threatens Nigeria’s economic growth’
By Arinze Nwafor
Nigeria’s water crisis has become an economic challenge, with unreliable and poorly managed water systems threatening agriculture, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, urban development and investment, organisers of an international exhibition have said.
The organisers of Stories of a Broken Water Cycle, a Lokoja Dialogues initiative, said Nigeria could be described as a “water paradise” while simultaneously experiencing severe water stress, stressing that the challenge was not simply water scarcity but how the resource was managed, financed and sustained.
The exhibition and dialogue programme will be held from October 8 to 22, 2026, at UN City in Copenhagen, Denmark, bringing together policymakers, businesses, investors, researchers, development partners, community representatives, innovators and young people from Nigeria, Denmark and beyond.
In a statement, Trustee and Chief Executive Officer of Lokoja Dialogues, Polly Alakija, said water insecurity could increasingly affect economic activity if the systems supporting access, distribution and sustainability were not strengthened.
“Nigeria can be described as a water paradise while simultaneously experiencing severe water stress. The challenge is not simply the physical presence or absence of water, but how water systems are managed, connected, financed and sustained,” Alakija said.
The organisers said water was a critical input across major areas of the economy, including agriculture, manufacturing, energy, healthcare and cities, adding that disruptions could raise operating costs, undermine livelihoods and discourage investment.
They said the challenge was particularly relevant to emerging water-intensive industries such as data centres, mining and pharmaceuticals, where reliable water supplies could influence investment decisions and long-term business operations.
The exhibition will therefore examine how government, communities, development finance institutions, philanthropy and private capital can finance water infrastructure that is reliable, affordable and sustainable.
The organisers said climate-related disruptions were already affecting economic livelihoods, citing communities around the Nguru wetlands, where declining water availability, changing vegetation and disruptions to fishing and agriculture had affected traditional sources of income.
They said previous investments in boreholes and solar-powered water systems had also faced maintenance, coverage and functionality challenges, underscoring the need to build systems that could be financially and institutionally sustained.
The programme will also examine the economic burden of water insecurity on women, who often shoulder responsibility for household water collection and management.
The organisers said time spent securing water could reduce women’s participation in productive and income-generating activities, while unreliable supplies could also affect household health and wellbeing.
Beyond the economic discussions, the exhibition will document the experiences of communities adapting to changing landscapes, farmers and fishers confronting environmental uncertainty, and young people growing up amid climate change.
One of the featured stories comes from Damaturu, Yobe State, where 600 children responded creatively to questions about changes in their environment. One child’s response was simply, “Game over.”
The Copenhagen programme will feature the exhibition, curated dialogues, public engagement activities, children’s and family activities, study visits and documentary engagement.
Discussions will cover water stress and security, infrastructure and financing, water and energy, women in water governance, sustainable cities, artificial intelligence and water security, agriculture, youth and technology, and water diplomacy.
The organisers said the Copenhagen event would connect Nigerian experiences with Danish and international perspectives on water, climate resilience, infrastructure and innovation.
The exhibition is hosted by the UNFPA Nordic Representation Office in collaboration with Shoreline and participating Nigerian and international partners.
The organisers said Lokoja Dialogues aimed to connect community experience and evidence with policy, investment and practical solutions, arguing that resilient water systems were essential to resilient economies.
“Water is not simply a resource. It is connected to health, food, energy, livelihoods, women’s lives, children’s futures, ecosystems, cities and economic opportunity,” the organisers said.
They added, “When the water cycle breaks, much more than water is at risk.”
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