The Lokoja Dialogues initiative is set to showcase Nigeria's water crisis in Copenhagen this October. The programme, titled Stories of a Broken Water Cycle, will run from October 8 to 22 at UN City. It is a collaboration between the UNFPA Nordic Representation Office, Shoreline, and Nigerian and international partners. The event will feature an exhibition, 90-minute dialogues, public engagement, and study visits, all requiring registration. This initiative aims to highlight the challenges faced by Nigeria in managing its water resources.
Nigeria's water crisis presents a paradox, with significant freshwater resources but deeply unequal access to safe and reliable water. Polly Alakija, trustee and CEO of Lokoja Dialogues, described Nigeria as a "water paradise" experiencing severe water stress. The issue is not just about the availability of water but also management, financing, and connectivity. The degradation of one part of the water system, such as upstream deforestation or damming, has ripple effects on downstream farming, energy, cities, and ecosystems.
The exhibition at the Copenhagen event will focus on people's stories rather than statistics. It will feature communities adapting to changing landscapes, women navigating water collection, and farmers confronting unpredictable rainfall. A focal point of the exhibition comes from Damaturu, Yobe State, where 600 children were asked to draw their environment thousands of years ago versus today. One child's response was striking: "Game over." This illustrates the severe impact of water scarcity on communities.
The programme also highlights the disproportionate burden on women for household water management, affecting their health, time, and economic opportunities. In the Nguru wetlands, communities report declining water availability and disruption to fishing and farming, underscoring that climate resilience is closely linked to water resilience. For investors, the connection is direct: agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and emerging water-intensive sectors like data centers and mining all depend on reliable water systems.
The Copenhagen dialogues will address various themes, including infrastructure and financing models, and the roles of government, development finance, philanthropy, and private capital. Twelve themes will be covered, including water stress and security, infrastructure and financing, women in water governance, sustainable cities, AI and water security, and water diplomacy. Organisers believe that Copenhagen offers a platform for mutual learning between Nigeria and Denmark, which faces different but significant water-related challenges.
The goal of the Lokoja Dialogues initiative is to leave audiences with a sense of possibility and a clearer view of the work needed for more equitable and resilient water futures. By sharing Nigeria's water crisis and exploring solutions, the event aims to inspire action and investment in water management. The initiative also seeks to highlight the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in addressing water-related challenges.
The event is expected to draw attention to the critical issue of water management in Nigeria and beyond. With its focus on storytelling, dialogue, and collaboration, the Lokoja Dialogues initiative aims to make a meaningful impact on the way we approach water management. By bringing together stakeholders from various sectors, the event hopes to generate new ideas and solutions for a more sustainable future.
Key points
- The Lokoja Dialogues initiative highlights Nigeria's water crisis and aims to inspire action and investment in water management.
- The event features an exhibition, dialogues, and study visits, and covers 12 themes related to water management.
- The initiative seeks to promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing in addressing water-related challenges.
