As the global community observes World Water Day 2026, the Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has issued a high-priority call for the Nigerian government to address the acute water scarcity and systemic pollution threatening millions of citizens.
In a statement released on Sunday, the advocacy group highlighted a grim reality: despite water being a fundamental human right, rural and underserved communities across Nigeria still lack access to clean, safe, and affordable drinking water.
A Crisis of Pollution and Infrastructure
The organization expressed grave concern over the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s natural water bodies. According to FENRAD, the nation’s rivers and groundwater are currently under siege from industrial discharge, oil spills, and unchecked urbanization.
These environmental stressors, compounded by the escalating effects of climate change, have created a public health time bomb. The group noted that the burden falls most heavily on women, children, and persons with disabilities, who often travel long distances or spend significant portions of their income to secure basic water needs.
Demands for Equitable Access
To mitigate this crisis, FENRAD is pushing for a shift in how water resources are managed at both the Federal and State levels. The group’s Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, emphasized that the solution lies in a combination of strict enforcement and targeted funding.
“Governments at all levels should make explicit budgetary provisions dedicated to improving access to potable water for community women, children, and other vulnerable groups,” Nwafor stated. “This includes funding for solar-powered water schemes and community-managed facilities, backed by clear accountability frameworks to ensure these projects actually reach the people.”
Strategic Roadmap for Sustainability
FENRAD outlined a comprehensive multi-step plan to safeguard the nation’s future water security, urging stakeholders to strengthen water Governance by implementing transparent policies that prioritize community participation, enforce regulations to hold polluters accountable for the degradation of streams and rivers, and promote climate resilience by integrating adaptation strategies to protect against the alternating threats of droughts and floods.
The organization concluded by reminding citizens that preservation is a shared responsibility, calling for a nationwide shift toward water-saving practices and local advocacy to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in the quest for clean water.
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