Water Accessibility Challenges, and Implications on Children in Rural Border Communities of Oyo-Kwara State, Nigeria

Subject and purpose of the work: This study examined water accessibility challenges, and the implications on children in rural border communities of Nigeria.

Materials and methods: Primary data were used, and children (5-16 years) were respondents to the interview and questionnaire.

Results: The study revealed there were more male children (58%) than female children (42%) and many of them were in the age bracket 11–15 years with about (53.9%) of them without formal education. The results further revealed that 69.9% of the respondents indicated that their major source of water is a stream and river. Also, the majority of the respondents (71%) trek long distances and (82.9%) spend more than 30 minutes travelling to collect water in distant villages especially during the dry season. This situation usually takes them away from their education and even affect their school attendance.

Conclusions: The study recommended the need for the equitable provision of an improved water supply and ensure children are secured in collecting water for their households.