A Professor from the Department of Chemistry, University of Lagos, Temilola Oluseyi, has said that over 22 million people in Lagos rely on groundwater for survival.
This statement was made during the 2025 World Water Day Commemorative Symposium, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Alausa on March 25.
The event themed “Putting Glacier Preservation At The Core Of Climate Action Plan,” brought together 142 participants made up of 12 people from NGO’s, 18 participants from the private sector/practitioners, 45 students from secondary schools in Lagos and 58 people from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The symposium focused on the challenges posed by climate change, particularly the issue of saline intrusion into groundwater and its effect on water security in coastal cities like Lagos.
Oluseyi highlighted the critical need for actions to address water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues related to saline intrusion, calling for collaboration among stakeholders to develop solutions for water security.
The Managing Director of Cummins, Mark Okeke, who was present at the event discussed the Cummins Water Works Initiative, which aims to address water challenges through collaboration with government and other stakeholders. He acknowledged existing state initiatives while calling for further cooperation in tackling water access issues.
A panel discussion, moderated by Engr. Adesoji Adeyemi, included insights from Dr. Clement Oladejo of Funman Nig. Ltd. and Mr. Femi Ogunleye of the Resilient Water Accelerator (RWA). The panelists emphasised the importance of water treatment and addressed funding challenges in the water sector, with Ogunleye noting that insufficient budget allocations often hinder progress.
The symposium concluded with recommendations for collaboration and best practices in the water sector. Participants proposed engagement between Lagos State and neighboring regions to implement integrated water resource management. They also stressed the need to reduce carbon footprints, enhance reforestation efforts, and promote environmental education focused on water-related challenges.
As Lagos faces challenges from climate change, the discussions at the 2025 World Water Day Commemorative Symposium underscored the need for targeted efforts to address water security. The recommendations outlined during the event serve as action points for stakeholders involved in ensuring a sustainable future for residents who depend on Lagos’ groundwater resources.
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