By Abbas Nazil
A Professor of Environmental Geography at the University of Lagos, Amidu Owolabi Ayeni, has called for the adoption of interdisciplinary environmental education, participatory policymaking, and increased investment in climate-resilient infrastructure to address sustainability challenges in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa.
Ayeni emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among universities, government agencies, and development partners, including improved data-sharing systems, to enhance environmental governance and climate response strategies.
He made the call during the university’s 456th inaugural lecture, where he urged higher institutions to move beyond traditional roles of knowledge generation and actively contribute to transformative environmental solutions through research, innovation, and community engagement.
The professor identified water insecurity as a critical development challenge in the region, noting that the crisis is driven not only by physical scarcity but also by governance failures, socio-economic inequalities, and environmental mismanagement.
He explained that disparities in water access and quality across urban, peri-urban, and rural communities are shaped by institutional weaknesses and unequal distribution systems, which require comprehensive and inclusive policy interventions.
Ayeni further warned about growing environmental degradation, including biodiversity loss, wetland destruction, and fragmentation of forest ecosystems, particularly in rapidly expanding urban and peri-urban areas.
According to him, these trends threaten essential ecosystem services such as water purification, climate regulation, food production, and flood control, largely due to unchecked land conversion and weak regulatory enforcement.
He highlighted the importance of Indigenous Knowledge Systems, describing them as credible and sustainable approaches to environmental monitoring, agricultural innovation, and climate adaptation, especially in areas where conventional scientific methods face limitations.
On climate change, Ayeni pointed to accelerating environmental shifts and their disproportionate effects on vulnerable populations, stressing that local knowledge and lived experiences should be integrated with scientific data to strengthen adaptation strategies.
He also underscored the role of geospatial technologies, noting that tools such as Geographic Information Systems and statistical models can support early warning systems, pollution tracking, and efficient resource management.
The professor advocated for integrated water resources management as a key solution to water insecurity, calling for equitable distribution systems and participatory planning processes that involve local communities.
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Folasade Ogunsola, reinforced the relevance of indigenous knowledge, describing it as a dynamic and practical framework for addressing environmental challenges rather than an outdated practice.
She noted that combining scientific research with traditional knowledge can improve environmental decision-making, enhance conservation efforts, and strengthen resilience in vulnerable communities.
Ogunsola added that recognising and integrating indigenous practices into policy frameworks would help bridge gaps between modern environmental management and local realities, ultimately supporting sustainable development and long-term climate resilience.