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Land & premisesEnvironmentNigeria

Obtain a borehole / water-use permit (NIWRMC)

License commercial-scale water abstraction/borehole drilling under the Water Resources Act: confirm a permit is needed → engage an accredited driller → apply to NIWRMC/state water agency → permit.

Procedure
4steps
Coordination
4agencies
Category
Land & premisesEnvironment
Task links

Go to the exact next page

Application, requirements, forms, fees, and tracking are labelled separately.

RequirementsRead the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC) service pageNigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC) · niwrmc.gov.ng
Routing map

Who you will deal with

Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC)Accredited driller (AWDROP/BODAN)NIWRMC / State water agencyNIWRMC
Procedure

The steps, in order

Each route below is scoped to the step it can actually complete.

  1. 01

    Confirm whether a permit is required

    Agency
    Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC)
    What is required
    Domestic use of water/boreholes on one's own land is exempt (no charge). Commercial-scale abstraction, boreholes or hydraulic works require a licence under the Water Resources Act.
    Documents
    Intended use (domestic vs commercial); land right
    Typical timeline
    Assessment
    Use for this step
  2. 02

    Engage an accredited driller and survey

    Agency
    Accredited driller (AWDROP/BODAN)
    What is required
    Engage a registered water-well driller (AWDROP/BODAN) and conduct a hydro-geological survey of the site.
    Documents
    Accredited driller; hydro-geological survey
    Typical timeline
    Pre-application
    Use for this step
  3. 03

    Apply to NIWRMC / state water agency

    Agency
    NIWRMC / State water agency
    What is required
    Apply for the water-use/drilling licence with site and technical details; some states impose additional approvals.
    Documents
    Application; site & technical details
    Typical timeline
    Application stage
    Use for this step
  4. 04

    Permit issued and compliance

    Agency
    NIWRMC
    What is required
    The licence is granted with conditions; abstraction is monitored for compliance.
    Documents
    Complete application
    Typical timeline
    On approval
    Use for this step
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