The aim of this study was to analyze the state of water quality management in Nigeria’s industrial cities.
In a developing country such as Nigeria, there is immense demand for advancement in various facets of living and
economic development is a priority of the government. This has led to increase in industries resulting in an increased
quantity of discharge and a wide range of pollutants reaching water bodies. This study indicates that both
urbanization and industrialization have contributed to the large scale of pollution currently observed in most
Nigerian cities notably those swarming with industries namely; Lagos, Rivers, Kano and Kaduna states. There are
no incentives for implementing pollution reduction measures. Wastes are disposed indiscriminately especially for
small and medium scale industries. Data for this paper were obtained by observation, investigation and from related
studies on the subject matter. Finally, this paper proposes constant river water monitoring as a step towards pollution
abatement.