At present, Sokoto is one of the most densely populated state capitals in the northern part of Nigeria.
Clean, portable drinking water has since January 2003 become a major source of worry to the residents of the state capital, notwithstanding the heavy investment made in the past by the present and successive administrations in the state to curb the crisis.
According to reports, becoming a water vendor is quite lucrative as an average water Seller using a 12 Jerry Can wheelbarrow can earn up to 5,000 naira daily, at 150 naira per full 25 liters of Jerry Can of water.
According to a resident in the state, a contributing factor to the scarce water was the erratic power supply from the national grid. As the state is always shedding on board every day, it makes it difficult for the state water works to receive sufficient power to treat and pump water to the public.
Meanwhile, the present Governor-elect of Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu has created provisions for potable water as one of his 9 points agenda if he assumes leadership of the state after the swearing-in ceremony on 29th May 2023 which many see as a laudable initiative if properly implemented by the incoming administration.