Power Asymmetries and Participation Gaps in InlandWater Governance: Towards Adaptive Co-Management at Eleyele Lake, Nigeria

Abstract

Sustainable management of inland water bodies depends on the active involvement of diverse
stakeholders whose livelihoods and interests are directly tied to these resources. This
study assessed stakeholder perceptions of participation in the governance of Eleyele Lake,
Ibadan, Nigeria, with the objective of identifying power asymmetries, governance gaps,
and pathways for more inclusive management. Data were collected between February and
August 2018 through a questionnaire survey of 98 respondents; comprising fishermen, fish
traders, government agencies, local businesses, religious groups, and recreational operators,
supplemented by participatory appraisal tools. Stakeholder analysis employed a participation
matrix, an importance–influence grid, and institutional Venn diagrams to map relationships,
dependencies, and decision-making power. Perceptions of participation were
evaluated using Likert-scale measures of being informed, consulted, and involved, with
high internal consistency (Cronbach’s = 0.96). Findings reveal that fishermen and women
fish traders, though highly dependent on the lake, fall into the “high importance–low influence”
category, while government agencies dominate decision-making despite capacity
constraints. Only 20% of respondents reported feeling adequately informed, 7% consulted,
and 5% actively involved in governance. A chi-square test (² = 56.12, df = 4, p ¡ 0.001)
confirmed significant associations between stakeholder group and perceived participation,
underscoring the marginalization of primary users. Shared challenges particularly aquatic
weed proliferation and pollution; emerged as entry points for collective action. The study
concludes that institutionalizing participatory platforms and multi-stakeholder committees
within an adaptive co-management framework is essential to move from symbolic inclusion
toward genuine power-sharing. Embedding inclusive governance in lake management
will not only strengthen ecological sustainability but also enhance livelihood security and
community resilience.