EKSU Don Calls for Science-Driven Water Management to Protect Aquatic Ecosystems

A Professor of Ecology and Environmental Biology at Ekiti State University (EKSU), Josephine Edward, has called for stronger integration of scientific research into policy formulation, community practices, and environmental governance to protect inland water ecosystems in Nigeria.

She made the call during the 102nd Inaugural Lecture of the university titled “The Synergy of Physicochemical Parameters, Plankton, Macroinvertebrates and Fish as Indicators of Aquatic Health,” held at the Main Auditorium on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

Edward emphasized that academic research must move beyond theory to deliver practical solutions for environmental sustainability, particularly in the management of rivers, reservoirs, and other freshwater systems that are vital to food security and livelihoods.

Drawing from empirical studies conducted on water bodies such as Elemi River, Ureje Reservoir, and River Ogbese, she demonstrated how physicochemical properties and biological indicators can be jointly used to assess water quality and ecosystem health. According to her, organisms such as ephemeroptera, plecoptera, and trichoptera serve as reliable indicators of environmental conditions and should be integrated into both research and teaching frameworks.

She further stressed the need for field-based learning in environmental science curricula, noting that practical exposure enhances students’ understanding of ecosystem dynamics and strengthens their capacity to respond to ecological challenges.

“Education must drive our response to ecological decline. When students and communities understand how aquatic systems function, they are better equipped to protect them,” she said.

The professor recommended stricter pollution control measures, promotion of eco-friendly agricultural practices, establishment of riparian buffer zones, and community-based watershed management strategies, particularly around vulnerable ecosystems such as the Egbe Reservoir and degraded sections of River Odo Ayo.

She also called for intensified efforts to protect economically important fish species such as Clarias gariepinus and Tilapia zillii, highlighting their importance to nutrition, research, and local economies.

“What is required now is not just awareness, but the application of knowledge—policies guided by science, informed communities, and a collective resolve to sustain our aquatic ecosystems,” she added.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of EKSU, Professor Joseph Ayodele, commended the lecturer, describing the presentation as a strong example of the university’s commitment to research-driven solutions and societal impact. He noted that the lecture reinforces the role of higher education in addressing environmental and developmental challenges.

The event attracted members of the university community, traditional rulers, and family members of the lecturer.