Vulnerability of Water Resources to Climate Change: Adaptation and Resilience Strategies for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Abstract

Nwankwoala HO and Amangabara GT

Nigeria faces inexorable climate change in recent times. This phenomenon will have a profound effect on the long-term sustainable socio-economic development and is also likely to jeopardize achievement of economic development of the country. All economic and social sectors will be adversely affected. The water resources sector is one that will be strongly impacted by climate change. Against a background of increasing demand for potable water, sea-level rise may lead to flooding of lowlands and seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers, while variability in climate may see more intense rainstorms resulting both in increased run-off leading to increased flooding and reduced recharge leading to aquifer depletion. Such impacts are already having negative ripple effects on other vital aspects of the economy such as the tourism, recreational, agricultural and industrial sectors. Unfortunately, adequate management of water resources in Nigeria is sorely lacking. Extensive studies to quantify the likely impacts of future climate change and climate variability on water resources in Nigeria are not available. In many cases, baseline data which may be used to track changes are sparse or non-existent. The impacts of climate change and economic value of water resources will form the basis for the development of adaptation strategies with regards to the sustainable management of regional and national water resources. This paper therefore explores the probable effect climate change will have on water resources in Nigeria, the fall-out from these effects and strategies for mitigating potential negative impacts for sustainable development.

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