ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the conditions of water resources in Nigeria and trends that conspire to create instability. Nigeria is a rich case study for understanding the security-related dynamics and consequences of water stress due to the simultaneous existence of multiple water challenges, geographic and climatic variability, and myriad social cleavages and economic divisions. Water resources vary greatly in Nigeria. The country spans six vegetation zones, from mangrove-saltwater swamps to grassland and desert. Climate change has a significant impact on water resources. Nigeria is ranked as the 12th-least-ready country to deal with climate change impacts, due largely to weaknesses with agricultural yield, political stability, and governance. The Niger Delta is characterized by a high level of biodiversity, an intense rainy season, and high human population density, and encompasses several forest and mangrove ecoregions. The Delta region is rich in oil and natural gas reserves.
