International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Urban water stress has emerged as a major environmental and planning challenge in many semi?arid cities of Sub-Saharan Africa due to rapid population growth, climate variability, and inadequate infrastructure. Maiduguri Metropolis in north-Eastern Nigeria increasingly experiences water shortages, prompting residents to adopt various coping strategies to meet domestic water needs.
Objective: This study evaluated household coping strategies for water stress and examines their implications for sustainable urban development in Maiduguri Metropolis, Nigeria.
Method: A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was adopted. Primary data were collected from 380 households using a structured questionnaire administered through stratified random sampling across selected residential wards. Supplementary data were obtained through interviews with officials from the Borno State Water Board. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages.
Result: The findings reveal that the most common coping strategies include walking long distances to fetch water (31%), purchasing water from vendors (25%), and storing water in containers (18%). Less common strategies include rainwater harvesting and private borehole development. These coping mechanisms are largely reactive and unsustainable.
Conclusion: The study concludes that water stress in Maiduguri Metropolis is primarily driven by inadequate urban water infrastructure and weak water governance, forcing residents to depend on temporary coping mechanisms. Unique contribution: The study contributes to urban planning literature by demonstrating how household coping practices reflect systemic deficiencies in urban water governance in semi?arid cities.
Key Recommendation: The study recommends integrating Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) into urban planning policies, expanding decentralised water infrastructure, and strengthening institutional coordination to ensure a sustainable urban water supply.