FUTA Professor Highlights Acute Water Shortage in Nigeria, Urges Policy Shift from Boreholes
Professor Ayo Olajuyigbe of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) delivered an inaugural lecture highlighting the acute shortage of domestic water in Nigerian cities.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
In a poignant revelation, Professor Ayo Olajuyigbe, a distinguished scholar in Urban and Regional Planning at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), has shed light on the dire state of domestic water supply in Nigerian cities. Addressing attendees at FUTA's 167th inaugural lecture titled "Water is Life – the Missing Link in Nigeria" on May 14, 2024, Professor Olajuyigbe underscored the pressing need for urgent action to address the pervasive water scarcity plaguing the nation.
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Professor Olajuyigbe's lecture emphasized the alarming lack of access to pipe-borne water across Nigerian cities, attributing it to a combination of factors including poor infrastructure, uncontrolled population growth, industrialization, and inadequate government policies. He highlighted the detrimental effects of this water crisis on public health and living standards, particularly for those reliant on wells and boreholes, which often require significant time and effort to access.
Of particular concern to Professor Olajuyigbe was the politicization of water provision, with the construction of boreholes becoming a staple of political campaigns and social interventions. He urged politicians to move away from celebrating such projects, labeling them as indicative of leadership failure and societal ignorance. Instead, he advocated for government prioritization of sustainable, accessible, and affordable water supply solutions.
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Proposing a shift in approach, Professor Olajuyigbe called for the adoption of atomization principles, advocating for the creation of smaller-scale water projects tailored to specific service areas within cities. He also stressed the importance of accountability and efficient management in the water sector, suggesting partnerships with the private sector as a means to mobilize funds and enhance service delivery.
In conclusion, Professor Olajuyigbe urged the newly established Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to prioritize the provision of safe water to coastal regions, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. His call to action was echoed by FUTA's Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, who highlighted the critical link between water scarcity, human health, and economic development.
The lecture served as a wake-up call for stakeholders to address the systemic challenges facing Nigeria's water sector, with Professor Olajuyigbe's insights poised to inform policy decisions and drive meaningful change in the quest for sustainable water supply solutions.
