PUBLIC WATER DISTRIBUTION COVERAGE AND POPULATION GROWTH IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLIS, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA (2011–2021)

Rapid population growth in many developing cities has intensified pressure on urban water infrastructure, often resulting in disparities between water demand and service provision. This study assessed the relationship between public water distribution coverage and population growth in Maiduguri Metropolis, Nigeria, between 2011 and 2021. The study aimed to examine the extent to which public water supply infrastructure expansion corresponded with the increasing population within the metropolis. A mixed-method research design was adopted, integrating household surveys, Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis, field observations, and secondary data obtained from the Borno State Water Corporation and the National Population Commission. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, comparative analysis, and spatial mapping techniques. The findings revealed that Maiduguri Metropolis experienced significant population growth during the study period, with the population increasing by 28.8%, while public water distribution infrastructure expanded by only 24.0%. The disparity between population growth and network expansion resulted in a decline in household connectivity rates from 72.0% in 2011 to 65.4% in 2021. Furthermore, the unserved population increased substantially from approximately 266,000 persons to 423,000 persons, indicating a widening coverage population gap. Spatial analysis showed that newly developed residential areas, particularly along the southern and eastern growth corridors, recorded the lowest levels of access to public water supply services. The study demonstrates that the pace of water infrastructure development has failed to match rapid urban growth, thereby exacerbating inequalities in access to potable water. The study concludes that sustainable urban water management in Maiduguri requires strategic expansion of distribution networks, integration of water infrastructure planning with urban development policies, and targeted investment in rapidly growing underserved communities. Such interventions are essential for improving water accessibility and achieving sustainable urban development goals.