Climate and water resources management

17 of the 52 major international rivers of the world are in sub Saharan Africa. Most of the rivers and some lakes such as Lake Chad (located in the study area of Nigeria) are already under severe stress, which is projected to continue in the foreseeable future (Obasi, 2000). This would make management of water resources even more difficult. Climate change and variability are natural and induced stress that are generally not usually taken into account (Ojo, 1988). The evaluations of the IPCC also point to temperature increases, precipitation change, increased variability, and sea level rise (IPCC, 1996). All these factors impact directly on the availability of water resources. In this paper therefore, • Rainfall for four selected stations (Sokoto, Kano, Katsina and Maiduguri) and water flow for two stations in Hadeija river basins in the NE hydrological area(all in the Sahelian region of Nigeria ) are used to study the variability of rainfall in relation to water resources management in that region and • Level of water flow in Kainji Dam (The biggest reservoir located in the central part of Nigeria) are considered in relation to hydroelectricity generation in Nigeria.