Urgent Action Needed to Protect Nigeria's Groundwater

During the 119th inaugural lecture at the Federal University of Technology Minna (FUT Minna) on February 12, 2026, Prof. Idri Nda Abdullahi emphasized the urgent need for reforms to protect and sustainably manage Nigeria's groundwater resources. He noted that 60% of Nigerians rely on groundwater for drinking, including 73% of rural residents and 45% of urban dwellers.

In Minna alone, the population heavily depends on boreholes for domestic water supply. Prof. Abdullahi explained that groundwater is a hidden yet invaluable natural resource, replenished by rainfall infiltration, and constitutes a significant share of the world's potable water.

He outlined modern exploration methods and stressed the importance of professional hydrogeological oversight to dispel misconceptions about groundwater. He called for stricter policies for borehole licensing, professional supervision, and improved water quality monitoring to enhance climate resilience and urban planning strategies.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta commended the lecture for its timely relevance to Nigeria's environmental and developmental challenges.