Operations

Access to water resources in Nigeria

We launched the initiative with FAO in 2018 to increase access to water for IDPs affected by the humanitarian crisis.

Where we develop the project

At the link you can explore the country and discover the work we do there and other projects we're involved in.

Working with FAO to manage the humanitarian crisis

Socio-economic problems, exposure to climate change and internal conflicts are some of the factors that have fuelled the country's crisis in recent years. North-eastern Nigeria in particular has long been at the centre of a humanitarian crisis caused by the violent Boko Haram movement and shrinking of the Lake Chad basin, the main water source for local communities. The crisis has triggered significant migratory flows and informal settlements have grown both in the north-east and in the Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to which many people are fleeing. This being the case, the Federal Government of Nigeria has asked energy companies in the country to contribute through sustainable initiatives in the affected areas, and that is why, in 2018, we signed a three-year Collaboration Agreement with FAO (the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization). The aim was to contribute to the humanitarian activities to help internally displaced people (IDPs) and host communities affected by the Lake Chad crisis, as well as to promote access to clean, safe water in the country by building wells powered by photovoltaic systems.

As part of the partnership with FAO, we have undertaken a total of 22 solar-powered water schemes since 2018: 5 in the Abuja Federal Capital Territory and 17 in northeastern Nigeria (5 in the state of Borno, 5 in the state of Adamawa and 7 in the state of Yobe). During March 2022, we delivered 11 in the states of Borno and Yobe. Overall, the initiative helps to improve sanitation for approximately 67,000 people. As pointed out by Alberto Piatti, Eni’s head of Sustainable Development in the Natural Resources department, the delivery of water systems will facilitate local development, improving the life of communities.

The launch of water systems in the states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa

Bama is a town in the north-eastern state of Borno, one of the three states at the epicentre of the insurrection. It is located 60km from the capital, Maiduguri, and has been attacked several times by insurgents. Through our Nigerian subsidiary Nigerian Agip Exploration (NAE), we commissioned a water system to improve access to water in those areas of the north-east affected by the riots. We have started to implement similar water systems in Chibiok, Biu, Damboa and Gwoza, all areas affected by the insurrection. Other water infrastractures have been implemented in Abuja communities, such as Waru and Sheretti, which were affected by an influx of IDPs. The wells have a storage capacity of between 25,000 and 50,000 litres, as well as water purification facilities and up to 24 distribution taps.

The first solar-powered well in the Waru community

Waru is one of the many communities in Nigeria significantly affected by the crisis that, in keeping with Nigeria’s tradition of hospitality, has opened its doors to others. Its solar-powered water system has provided safe, clean water to this community of around 4,000 people, including internally displaced people fleeing the insurrection in the north-east. This is the first of ten wells provided in the first year of the collaboration with FAO as part of an initiative designed to promote access to water in selected communities across the country. The water well has affected the community even in unexpected ways. It is equipped with electrical outlets that the premises can use to charge their phones and is well lit even at night. The well also quickly became a safe meeting point. An important aspect of the project is that the community manages itself: it is in fact the community that takes ownership and leadership in the management of the water system, through the Association of Water Users. The association, composed of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the host community, accepted the project as a right from the very beginning, and jealously and happily protect its infrastructures, monitoring the safe and correct use of water, in order to guarantee food security and sustainable nutrition.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is an action plan signed in September 2015 by 193 UN countries. It sets out 17 goals for socio-economic development in communities and countries. Through this national project, we are helping to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation (Goal 6) and end all forms of poverty (Goal 1) and hunger (Goal 2). Furthermore, we are committed to promoting efforts to combat climate change (Goal 13) and to strengthening and renewing the global partnership for sustainable development (Goal 17).

Technologies we use

All water systems are solar-powered and have back-up supply systems to ensure availability in a sustainable way. Some wells are equipped with a reverse osmosis system to treat and purify water.

Before the well was built, we could not grow anything during the dry season. We assumed that irrigation was only possible in riverine areas. Now our lives have changed 100%. This year we had an abundant harvest, we ate some and sold the rest.

Yau Abdulkarim, project beneficiary in Yobe state

Presentation of the Eni/FAO water access initiative in Nigeria in 2019.

Eni e FAO: accordo per l'accesso all'acqua

Eni and the FAO for safe water: photogallery

A selection of photos on the agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to provide access to safe, clean water in Nigeria.

Impact on the environment and communities

Since the insurrection began in 2009, the Boko Haram movement has caused unprecedented levels of displacement in the region and severe disruption to farming, livestock and fishing activities. Our activities in the states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa have helped internally displaced people (IDPs) in camps, and those returning to liberated communities, to resume normal life. The plan from the outset was to ensure that displaced people and host communities had access to clean water for domestic and agricultural use. Furthermore, the collaboration with FAO was geared towards ensuring food security and proper nutrition. The relevant local authorities were involved in the implementation of the project, to provide training support and raise awareness among communities of the issue of water management and practices for long-term sustainability.

Our results so far

22 wells

launched in 2022

67,000

project beneficiaries

Partnerships

FAO has had official representation in Nigeria since 1978, although its involvement in the country dates back to the 1950s. Working with the relevant ministries at national and sub-national levels, the organisation has provided strategic support for national development programmes and strategies aimed at reducing poverty, improving food and nutrition security and managing natural resources. With reference to Goal 17, the FAO-Eni collaboration is an example of the type of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) envisaged by the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as an essential tool in driving the achievement of the SDGs at local level. The partnership that exists between Eni and FAO is a development partnership, in which both parties rely on their specific skills to provide local people with a primary need. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, FAO provides support in identifying activity areas for wells, technical expertise and know-how in the areas concerned, as well as training in water management and sustainability, while Eni is responsible for drilling the wells and supplying the photovoltaic systems.

Circular economy

Global energy scenarios

Research and Technology

Net Zero

Sustainable mobility

Diversity and Inclusion

Digital Transformation

Open Innovation

Video

Podcast

Focus

Stories

Photogallery

Eni Tv