Nigeria has consistently championed gender equality on the global and national stages, yet a critical sector, such as water governance tells a different story.
Women, who are undeniably at the heart of water access, use, and management in homes and communities, too often find themselves on the sidelines of crucial decision-making and policy formulation.
This persistent disconnect not only marginalizes women but actively hinders effective and inclusive water governance across the nation.
Addressing the Disconnect: A Path Forward
This urgent challenge recently took center stage at a stakeholder validation and capacity assessment workshop, spearheaded by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) under the CGIAR Initiative on Policy Innovations and held on April 22, 2025, at the Ibadan Business School.
The workshop convened a diverse group of stakeholders from Nigeria’s water and gender sectors, civil society organizations, and academia.
Their mission was to validate the findings of a policy study conducted by IWMI on the subject.
Ms. Sarah Appiah of IWMI highlighted that this study emerged from gaps identified in a previous research and stakeholder engagements on policy coherence.
The research aimed to assess the extent of gender integration within water sector policies and governance, with in-depth case studies from the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), Oyo and Nasarawa States. The goal was to pinpoint key challenges and propose actionable and forward-looking solutions.
Identifying the Obstacles
Utilizing a gender policy analysis framework, the study evaluated Nigeria’s water and gender-related policies. While it confirmed a growing recognition of the importance of gender integration in water governance, it also revealed a significant hurdle: actual implementation remains inadequate.
Stakeholders at the workshop validated key challenges, including pervasive institutional inefficiencies, insufficient funding, and deeply entrenched cultural norms that obstruct women's full participation and leadership in water management.
A critical finding underscored the glaring disconnect between Nigeria’s national gender commitments and the practical policies governing water sector.
National and state-level gender policies frequently fail to align with sector-specific strategies in water governance.
This policy incoherence creates fragmented implementation, erodes accountability, and ultimately stifles the effectiveness of efforts to integrate gender in water governance.
Building Momentum for Change
Despite these challenges, a notable momentum for change is building. In direct response to the study’s findings and recommendations, stakeholders are now calling for concrete action.
The consensus points to an urgent need to review and align water policies with national gender equality goals.
Participants stressed the need for clear accountability in implementing and tracking gender provisions, alongside increased funding for gender-responsive water initiatives. Furthermore, they emphasized the need for stronger coordination between institutions dedicated to both water and gender.
As Mrs. Shontonwa Roagess, Director of Quality Control at the Oyo State Water Corporation, articulated at the workshop, “Transforming water sector governance requires not just policy reform, but a shift in institutional culture, improved funding, and consistent political will to include and empower women at all levels of governance”
Dr. Sade Taiwo, Chief Executive Director of the Centre for Enterprise Development and Action Research, echoed this sentiment in her closing remarks, emphasizing the necessity of sustained efforts to advance gender mainstreaming in Nigeria’s water sector.
She urged stakeholders to prioritize awareness creation, invest in capacity building, and enhance institutional coordination as critical steps toward more inclusive and equitable water governance.
Change starts with dialogue, but lasting progress hinges on bold, sustained action to make Nigeria’s water governance truly inclusive. Are we ready to take the next step?
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