SINKING THE NATION: THE DARK SIDE OF BOREHOLE PROLIFERATION IN NIGERIA
Imagine the average Nigerian as a thirsty teenager with an insatiable thirst for bottled water, and boreholes are the equivalent of piercing holes in every single water bottle within reach, they just poke a hole and extract water. Similar to food, the Nigerian society’s incompetence has a firm grip on its water infrastructure, and as expected, businesses/individuals bear the burdens of digging up boreholes. While burdens are often monetary, they often come with hidden costs, and this unchecked borehole bonanza is bringing along a torrent of troubles.
Nigeria’s water situation is complex — with urbanization accelerating, the demand for water has shot through the roof. Enter the borehole: the hero of the hour, often touted as the ultimate quick fix but upon closer inspection, it may simply be a problem in disguise.
UNICEF reports that of the 2.31 million water points in Nigeria, 75% are self-supplied and 43% of these are boreholes (UNICEF, 2021). A Business Day report also highlights that 90% of households in urban areas is serviced by boreholes (Emelike et al., 2024). Why is this so prevalent? — the unreliable municipal water supply has driven this surge (once again, your government rulers have failed you). In many urban areas, the public water system is intermittent, sometimes providing water only a few times a week. In some places, there are absolutely no municipal pipes for water at all, especially in newly developed areas. This inconsistency has pushed residents and businesses to rely heavily on boreholes for a reliable water source. Here is where it gets interesting, the rapid increase in boreholes is causing groundwater levels to plummet. In some areas, groundwater levels are dropping by nearly a meter each year. Groundwater, which takes centuries to accumulate, is being consumed at an unsustainable rate (Ibeje et al., 2020). Given that about a significant portion of Nigeria’s population relies on groundwater for their daily needs, this is particularly alarming. As the water table drops, wells need to be drilled deeper, increasing costs and complexity. Additionally, lower water tables can lead to the drying up of rivers, lakes, and other surface water sources, further exacerbating the water crisis (Nwankwo et al., 2023).
Why is this disadvantageous?
Simple answer = ‘Land subsidence’. But what is Land subsidence?
It’s what happens when the ground ‘decides’ to take a little dip, which can cause structures to crack, roads to warp, and property values to plummet (how capitalist of me). Land subsidence occurs when copious amounts of groundwater have been withdrawn from certain types of rocks, such as fine-grained sediments. The rock compacts because the water is partly responsible for holding the ground up. Without it, the ground sinks. This phenomenon is not only a structural threat but also an economic one. For a classic representation of Land subsidence, look no further than your beloved Lagos. Nigeria’s bustling megacity is sinking at a rate of more than 10 millimetres annually (Sani, 2023) (Lagos does not fit the megacity description but we will address this in another article). The costs of repairing infrastructure and homes affected by subsidence can run into hundreds of millions of Naira (Ikuemonisan et al., 2023). Let’s not forget that collapsed structures can also lead to loss of lives. Grim enough?
There’s more! Not all boreholes are created equal. Many boreholes are drilled without proper regulation or oversight, leading to contamination issues. Think of it as playing Russian roulette with your drinking water. Studies show that a significant percentage of borehole water contains dangerous levels of pollutants like nitrates and heavy metals (Baloye, 2020; Okorie et al., 2024). So, while you’re quenching your thirst, you might also be giving your immune system an unwanted workout. Inadequate regulation and monitoring mean that many boreholes are improperly constructed, allowing contaminants to enter the water supply. These contaminants can include agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and naturally occurring substances like arsenic. Consuming contaminated water can lead to serious health issues, including gastrointestinal illnesses, neurological disorders, and developmental problems in children (Okorie et al., 2024).
This proliferation of boreholes also highlights the stark socioeconomic divide in Nigeria. Wealthier individuals and businesses can afford to drill deep, sophisticated boreholes and install filtration systems to ensure clean water. In contrast, poorer communities often rely on shallow, poorly constructed boreholes, which are more susceptible to contamination. This disparity exacerbates existing inequalities and poses a significant public health risk to vulnerable populations (after all what’s a Nigerian discourse without a dose socioeconomic inequality?). This is a clear case of a short-term solution creating long-term problems. While boreholes have provided a temporary fix for water scarcity, they are also contributing to a range of environmental, health, and socioeconomic issues. To ensure a sustainable water future, Nigeria must take an integrated approach that includes investment in infrastructure, regulation and oversight, although I doubt she would.
What’s the worst that could happen?
If Nigeria fails to address the unchecked proliferation of boreholes and the broader water management crisis, the consequences could be catastrophic. Picture a nation where cities like Lagos are sinking more each year, infrastructure is crumbling, and floods become more frequent and devastating. The economic costs of repairing damaged buildings and roads will skyrocket, straining an already burdened economy.
Additionally, water scarcity will intensify as groundwater reserves deplete, leading to fierce competition for this vital resource. Communities may find their wells running dry, forcing them to rely on unsafe and contaminated water sources. The public health implications are dire: a surge in waterborne diseases, increased healthcare costs, and a general decline in the quality of life, particularly for the most vulnerable populations (Emelike et al., 2024).
The environmental impact will also be severe. With rivers and lakes drying up, ecosystems will collapse, leading to a loss of biodiversity and further destabilizing the natural balance. Agricultural productivity will decline due to water shortages, threatening food security and increasing the risk of famine. Social unrest could follow as people struggle to access clean water. Conflicts over water resources could escalate, potentially leading to violence and further destabilizing regions already grappling with poverty and inequality. The socioeconomic divide will widen as the wealthy continue to secure their water needs while the poor suffer (Nwachukwu and Onyenechere, 2023).
Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. Ignoring the water crisis could push the nation towards a doomsday scenario of environmental degradation, public health disasters, economic turmoil, and social unrest. Conversely, taking decisive action now — investing in infrastructure, enforcing regulations, promoting conservation, and engaging communities — can avert this grim future and secure a sustainable, prosperous, and healthy Nigeria for generations to come.
The reader and the Pessimist are fully aware that the Nigerian government and her people will not act now or in the near future, the last sentence just felt good to write. You will however be better off with little to no faith in a society that has failed to produce portable drinking water for decades.
References
Baloye, D. (2020) ‘Assessment of Borehole Infrastructure, Knowledge and Compliance with Drilling Regulations in Southwestern Nigeria’, Ife Social Sciences Review, 28(1), 149–167.
Emelike, O., Ofurum, G., Udonquak, A., Enoch, M., and Athekame, K. (2024, May 19) ‘Nigerians at mercy of boreholes as water corporations, facilities become moribund’, Retrieved from Businessday.ng: https://businessday.ng/news/article/nigerians-at-mercy-of-boreholes-as-water-corporations-facilities-become-moribund/
Ibeje, A. O., Okoro, B. C., Agunwamba, J. C., and Nwachukwu, M. C. (2020) ‘Optimal Maintenance of Water Borehole Schemes’, The International Journal of Engineering and Science (IJES), 9(1), 23–29.
Ikuemonisan, F. E., Ozebo, V. C., Minderhoud, P. S., Teatini, P., and Woillez, M.-N. (2023) ‘A scoping review of the vulnerability of Nigeria’s coastland to sea-level rise and the contribution of land subsidence’, AFD Research Papers , 284, 1–34.
Nwachukwu, G. A., and Onyenechere, E. C. (2023) ‘Quality assessment of borehole water in Nigeria’, Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences , 21(2), 25–43.
Nwankwo, I., Abam, T. K., and Giadom, F. D. (2023) ‘Challenges of Groundwater Development and Supply in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’, Journal of Water Resource and Protection , 15(6), 247–275.
Okorie, M., V. U., and Omokpariola, D. O. (2024) ‘Physicochemical properties and health risk assessment of selected heavy metals from soil and borehole water in Ifite-Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria’, Discover Applied Sciences, 6(3), 108.
Sani, N. (2023, December 18) ‘Sinking Cities: Why Lagos, Nigeria Could Disappear by 2100’, Retrieved from https://newscentral.africa/sinking-cities-why-lagos-nigeria-could-disappear-by-2100/#:~:text=Rising%20ocean%20and%20atmospheric%20temperatures,than%2010%20millimeters%20per%20year.
UNICEF. (2021) ‘Water Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping 2021: Summary of Survey Findings’, Abuja: Federal Ministry of water resources and UNICEF.
