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Sustainable Soil and Water Resources Management in Nigeria: The Need for a Data-Driven Policy Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Kennedy O. Doro

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, 2801 West Bankcroft St., Toledo, OH 43606, USA)

  • Solomon Ehosioke

    (Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, University of Liège, B 400 Liège, Belgium)

  • Ahzegbobor P. Aizebeokhai

    (Department of Physics, Covenant University, Ota P.M.B. 1023, Nigeria)

Abstract

Effective public policies are needed to manage a nation’s natural resources, including soil and water. However, making such policies currently requires a shift from a traditional qualitative approach to a mix of scientific data, evidence and the relevant social elements, termed data-driven policymaking. Nigeria, like most developing countries, falls short of the framework for this approach. Nevertheless, the lack of potable water in some regions and the continuous degradation of farmable lands call for intervention through effective policy formulation and implementation. In this work, we present a conceptual workflow as a strategic step towards developing a framework for a data-driven soil and water resources management policy. A review of the current legal and policy framework and selected scientific literature on soil and water resources in Nigeria is presented. Analysis of the National Water Resources Bill proposed in 2018 is used to highlight existing gaps between policy, scientific data and reality. Modern field techniques and project-based examples for soil and aquifer characterization that can be adapted for local use are presented. While government must take responsibility for the poor policy framework, the research community is challenged on the need for scientific data as a base for effective policy formulation and implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Kennedy O. Doro & Solomon Ehosioke & Ahzegbobor P. Aizebeokhai, 2020. "Sustainable Soil and Water Resources Management in Nigeria: The Need for a Data-Driven Policy Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:10:p:4204-:d:360869
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Crescenzi, Riccardo & Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés, 2011. "Reconciling top-down and bottom-up development policies," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 30804, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. von Braun, Joachim & Gulati, Ashok & Kharas, Homi, 2017. "Key policy actions for sustainable land and water use to serve people," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 11, pages 1-14.
    3. Sabatier, Paul A., 1986. "Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches to Implementation Research: a Critical Analysis and Suggested Synthesis," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 6(1), pages 21-48, January.
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