River basin planning in Nigeria

This paper discusses the concept and practice of river basin planning in Nigeria. The first River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) were established in 1973 and the number was increased to nine in 1979. A number of major water resource projects were developed during the 1970s, particularly dam and irrigation schemes. In this paper the importance of political factors in river basin planning is discussed, and planning in two particular basins is described. In the Gongola River Basin the pattern of project development demonstrates the lack of integrated basin planning, and in the Sokoto River Basin adverse environmental impacts occurred when one project was developed without consideration of the resources of the rest of the basin. The disappointing economic performance and social impacts of RBDA schemes are described, and the future contribution of river basin planning to development in Nigeria is discussed.