Management of natural resources has traditionally been done within sectors, most often in isolation and without considering impacts on other sectors. The ‘Nexus approach' has been introduced in the global natural resources management agenda to facilitate the enhancement of water, energy and food security, while preserving ecosystems and their functions, by increasing efficiency, reducing trade-offs, building synergies and improving governance across sectors. This master thesis presents an application of the governance assessment part of the Water-Energy-Land Use-Ecosystems Nexus Methodology for Transboundary Basins to the case of the Niger Basin. It was found that a nexus approach allows highlighting major intersectoral issues, but due to its complexity, makes a thorough assessment challenging. Furthermore, it has revealed that the top down approach of the Nexus hinders the consideration of the community level and customary law.