- Nigeria’s water management challenges threaten agriculture, manufacturing, energy, healthcare and investment, according to Lokoja Dialogues organisers.
- An international exhibition in Copenhagen will explore sustainable water infrastructure, financing and climate resilience from October 8 to 22, 2026.
Nigeria’s water crisis threatens economic growth as unreliable water systems increase operating costs, undermine livelihoods and discourage investment, organisers of an international exhibition have warned.
The organisers of Stories of a Broken Water Cycle, an initiative of Lokoja Dialogues, said Nigeria faces serious water management challenges despite its abundant water resources. They argued that the crisis extends beyond water scarcity to include poor management, inadequate financing and weak infrastructure maintenance.
The exhibition and dialogue programme runs from October 8 to 22, 2026, at UN City in Copenhagen, Denmark. It brings together policymakers, businesses, investors, researchers, development partners, community representatives and young people from Nigeria, Denmark and other countries.
Polly Alakija, Trustee and Chief Executive Officer of Lokoja Dialogues, said water insecurity could increasingly disrupt economic activity unless stakeholders strengthened systems for water access, distribution and sustainability.
“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 identified agriculture, manufacturing, energy, healthcare and urban development as sectors that depend on reliable water supplies. They warned that disruptions could increase production costs, weaken household livelihoods and reduce investor confidence.
Emerging industries, including data centres, mining and pharmaceuticals, also require dependable water supplies. According to the organisers, water availability could influence investment decisions and determine the long-term viability of operations in these sectors.
The Copenhagen programme will examine how governments, communities, development finance institutions, philanthropic organisations and private investors can finance reliable, affordable and sustainable water infrastructure.
Climate change and environmental degradation will also feature prominently in the discussions. The organisers cited communities around the Nguru wetlands, where declining water availability and changing vegetation have disrupted fishing, agriculture and traditional livelihoods.
Previous investments in boreholes and solar-powered water systems have also faced maintenance, coverage and functionality challenges. These difficulties highlight the need for stronger institutional support and sustainable financing to keep water infrastructure operational.
The programme will further examine how water insecurity affects women, who often carry responsibility for collecting and managing household water. The organisers said time spent securing water can limit women’s participation in employment, business and other income-generating activities.
Unreliable water supplies can also undermine household health and wellbeing. Meanwhile, the exhibition will document how communities, farmers and fishers adapt to environmental changes and growing climate pressures.
One featured story comes from Damaturu, Yobe State, where 600 children responded creatively to questions about changes in their environment. One child captured the uncertainty in two words: “Game over.”
The programme will combine exhibitions, curated dialogues, public engagement activities, family events, study visits and documentary presentations. Discussions will cover water security, infrastructure financing, water and energy, women’s participation in water governance, sustainable cities, artificial intelligence, agriculture, youth innovation and water diplomacy.
The exhibition will connect Nigerian experiences with Danish and international perspectives on water management, climate resilience, infrastructure and innovation. The UNFPA Nordic Representation Office hosts the programme in collaboration with Shoreline and participating Nigerian and international partners.
Lokoja Dialogues said it aims to connect community experiences and evidence with policymaking, investment and practical solutions. The organisers stressed that resilient water systems remain essential to economic stability and long-term development.
“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.”