Urban Water Planning in Lagos, Nigeria: An Analysis of Current Infrastructure Developments and Future Water Management Solutions

The state of Lagos, Nigeria is one of several African cities facing a major water crisis. Despite being rich in water resources, access to water within the state is dreadfully low and a major public health threat. Currently, the Lagos Water Corporation, the primary supplier of water in the state, is facing a 320-million-gallon water demand gap due to the rapidly growing population within the city. Additionally, the water crisis is further exacerbated by deteriorating infrastructure, political instability and poorly regulated water laws. The result of the water crisis in Lagos has led to detrimental consequences for its citizens as child mortality and water-borne disease related deaths have grown exponentially. To combat this problem, the Lagos Water Corporation developed its Water Supply Master Plan in an aim to bridge the water demand gap and provide pragmatic solutions for water-related issues within the state. Unfortunately, this plan is heavily flawed and non-encompassing. This paper will explore in detail the issues that aggravate the Lagos water crisis. Additionally, I will examine the Lagos Water Supply Plan and highlight its strengths and limitations, as well as provide probable solutions that can lead to a reform in the water crisis.