Evaluating the Effectiveness of Agricultural Water Management Policies in Nigeria

Abstract

Agricultural Water Management (AWM) plays a crucial role in enhancing food security, improving agricultural productivity, and building resilience against climate change in Nigeria. Despite policy frameworks and donor-supported interventions such as the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project, only 2% of the country’s 3.14 million hectares of irrigable land is currently being utilized. This study evaluates the effectiveness of Nigeria’s AWM policies by employing a mixed-methods approach involving surveys, interviews, and document reviews across selected agricultural zones. Findings reveal that institutional inefficiencies, weak policy coordination, and limited infrastructure development are major impediments to achieving water management goals. Smallholder farmers, who make up over 80% of the agricultural workforce, face significant challenges in accessing formal irrigation systems and climate-smart technologies. The study also highlights a lack of participatory planning, poor monitoring systems, and gender disparities in irrigation access. It concludes that for AWM policies to be effective, they must be inclusive, decentralized, and climate-resilient. The study recommends institutional reforms, targeted investments in climate-smart irrigation infrastructure, strengthened stakeholder participation, and robust monitoring frameworks to ensure sustainable water governance in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.