Prof. Longe Unveils Hidden Complexities of Nigeria’s Groundwater Resources at 449th Inaugural Lecture, Calls for Policy Reforms. – University Of Lagos

Report on Sustainable Groundwater Management in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: The 449th Inaugural Lecture

At the 449th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Lagos, Professor Ezechiel Oladapo Longe of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering delivered a presentation titled “Unlocking the Hidden Treasures: The Complexity, Availability, and Vulnerability of Groundwater Resources.” The lecture underscored the critical importance of groundwater management as a cornerstone for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Groundwater’s Role in Sustainable Ecosystems and Development

The Hydrologic Cycle and Ecosystem Integrity (SDG 15)

Professor Longe identified groundwater as a “crucial yet invisible natural resource” integral to the global hydrologic cycle. He explained that the movement and balance of groundwater are fundamental to sustaining ecosystems, directly supporting the objectives of SDG 15 (Life on Land) by maintaining the health of terrestrial and aquatic environments.

National Water Resources and Challenges to SDG 6

The report highlighted Nigeria’s significant groundwater assets, which are crucial for national development.

• Total national water resources are estimated at 319.2 million cubic meters per year.
• These resources are distributed across eight recognized hydrogeological areas.

However, increasing population and industrialisation have intensified demand, placing significant stress on these resources. This trend poses a direct challenge to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water, a core target of SDG 6.

Urbanisation and Water Scarcity: A Case Study on SDG 11

Lagos Metropolis: Pressure on Urban Water Infrastructure

Using Lagos as a case study, Professor Longe illustrated the acute pressure on water resources in a rapidly growing urban center, a key concern for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The astronomic population growth, from 300,000 in 1932 to a projected 24.4 million by 2025, has outpaced the development of adequate water supply infrastructure, leading to unsustainable groundwater consumption.

The Principle of Sustainable Abstraction

A central tenet of the lecture was the principle that “Discharge must not be greater than recharge.” This concept is vital for preventing resource depletion and ensuring long-term water security, aligning with SDG Target 6.4, which aims to substantially increase water-use efficiency and address water scarcity.

Policy Recommendations for Achieving Sustainable Water Management (SDG 6 & SDG 17)

Professor Longe proposed a series of strategic recommendations to align groundwater management with the Sustainable Development Goals. These recommendations emphasize the need for robust governance and multi-stakeholder collaboration, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. Adoption of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM): Implementing IWRM practices is essential for holistic and sustainable water management, directly addressing SDG Target 6.5.
2. Expansion of Legislative Frameworks: The Water Resources Act (CAP W2. LFN 2004) and related regulations should be expanded to cover:
   • Mandatory groundwater assessment prior to abstraction.
   • Clear delineation of state and federal government roles.
   • Regulation of borehole density and abstraction quantities to prevent depletion.
3. Establishment of Nationwide Groundwater Monitoring Networks: To effectively manage resources, it is critical to establish networks to monitor groundwater levels, quality, and recharge rates. This data-driven approach is fundamental to tracking progress towards SDG 6.
4. Strengthening Policy and Community Engagement: Developing comprehensive policy and regulatory frameworks for enforcement, combined with public education and community engagement, is necessary to foster a culture of water conservation and protection.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a strong focus on water resource management, urban sustainability, and governance. The following SDGs are relevant:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: This is the most central SDG discussed. The entire article revolves around the availability, vulnerability, and sustainable management of groundwater, which is a critical source of clean water. Professor Longe’s lecture directly addresses the need to manage this resource to ensure its continued availability for human consumption and ecosystem balance.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article uses Lagos as a case study, highlighting how rapid population growth in a major city puts “immense pressure on water demand and sourcing.” This connects directly to the challenge of making cities sustainable and ensuring that essential services like water supply can cope with urban expansion.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The lecture’s core message about ensuring that groundwater discharge does not exceed recharge (“Discharge must not be greater than recharge, else there will be problems”) is a direct call for sustainable consumption of a natural resource. It addresses the need to manage consumption patterns to prevent resource depletion.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: Professor Longe’s recommendations emphasize the need for policy, regulation, and collaboration. His own career, involving consultancy with various government ministries and work with international bodies like the Global Water Partnership, exemplifies the multi-stakeholder partnerships required to achieve sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific issues and recommendations mentioned in the article, the following SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
   • Explanation: The article’s central theme is the stress on groundwater resources due to over-abstraction caused by population growth and industrialization. Professor Longe’s warning that “Discharge must not be greater than recharge” directly addresses the need for sustainable withdrawals.
2. Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management (IWRM) at all levels.
   • Explanation: This target is explicitly mentioned in the article. One of Professor Longe’s key recommendations is “The adoption of integrated water resource management (IWRM) practices” for the sustainable management of groundwater.
3. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… by disasters, including water-related disasters.
   • Explanation: While not mentioning specific disasters, the article highlights the “vulnerability” of groundwater resources. Unmanaged over-abstraction can lead to land subsidence and aquifer contamination, which are forms of slow-onset disasters that can affect a large urban population like that of Lagos, making the city less resilient.
4. Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • Explanation: Groundwater is described as a “crucial yet invisible natural resource.” The entire discussion about preventing over-abstraction, implementing regulations, and managing its use aligns with the goal of sustainable management of natural resources.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicator codes, but it strongly implies several metrics that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Groundwater Levels and Recharge Rates:
  • Explanation: Professor Longe’s recommendation to establish “nationwide Groundwater Monitoring Networks to monitor groundwater levels, quality, and recharge rates” directly provides measurable indicators. Tracking the balance between abstraction (discharge) and recharge is a key indicator for Target 6.4 (sustainable withdrawals). This aligns with the official indicator 6.4.2 (Level of water stress).
• Water Quality Parameters:
  • Explanation: The proposal to monitor groundwater “quality” implies the measurement of various physical, chemical, and biological parameters to assess contamination. This serves as an indicator for ensuring the safety of the water supply and relates to Target 6.3 (improve water quality).
• Degree of IWRM Implementation:
  • Explanation: The explicit recommendation to adopt IWRM practices suggests that progress can be measured by the extent to which these practices are implemented. This could include the establishment of regulatory bodies (like the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission mentioned), the enactment of policies, and the enforcement of regulations, which corresponds to indicator 6.5.1 (Degree of integrated water resources management implementation).
• Regulatory Frameworks and Enforcement:
  • Explanation: The call for “appropriate policy and guidelines,” the expansion of the “Water Resources Act,” and the regulation of “borehole numbers” are all measurable actions. The existence and enforcement of these legal and regulatory frameworks serve as an indicator of progress in managing the resource sustainably (Targets 6.5 and 12.2).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: unilag.edu.ng