Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed serious concerns about the increasing number of boreholes being drilled in residential areas across Nigeria, especially in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He warned that the unregulated digging of boreholes could have devastating long-term consequences for both the environment and the people relying on this water source.
Obasanjo made the statement during a visit by the management and staff of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (O-ORBDA) led by the Managing Director, Adedeji Ashiru, to mark World Water Day. The former president’s comments focused on the importance of strategic water management and the critical role it plays in food security and sustainable development.
Obasanjo raised alarms about the growing trend of drilling boreholes at homes, particularly in Abeokuta. He explained that this practice emerged due to the failure of successive governments to sustain a vital water management project initiated by his administration in 1977—the Oyan Dam project. The dam, built to serve as a reliable water source and irrigation facility for the region, has, according to Obasanjo, failed to live up to its potential, leading to the widespread reliance on boreholes in the area.
“The increasing number of boreholes being drilled everywhere is alarming,” Obasanjo said. “The failure of the Oyan Dam project has led the people of Abeokuta to dig boreholes to access water, but this could have serious consequences that we may not fully understand yet. Nobody knows how devastating this could be in the long run.”
He warned that while water is an essential resource for life, the overuse of groundwater through unregulated borehole drilling could result in the depletion of the water table, causing long-term damage to the region’s water supply. This, he pointed out, could have severe consequences for future generations if not properly managed.
Obasanjo recalled that during his time as Military Head of State, he recognized the importance of managing water resources effectively to ensure food security. In 1977, his administration established 11 River Basins, including the Oyan Dam, to provide water for agriculture and domestic use. The Oyan Dam was designed to serve as a crucial water source for both Abeokuta and Lagos, as well as a means of generating electricity.
However, despite its original purpose, the Oyan Dam has not lived up to expectations over the past 48 years. “The Oyan Dam was meant to provide water for Abeokuta and Lagos, and also to generate electricity. Unfortunately, it has been neglected,” Obasanjo said. “The dam has the capacity to generate 9 megawatts of electricity, which could have a significant impact on power supply in the region, but it remains underutilized.”
Obasanjo stressed that without a functioning Oyan Dam to provide water for the people, reliance on boreholes will continue to grow, which could result in the depletion of underground water sources and a decrease in water quality. This, he said, will have significant repercussions on both the environment and the people of the region.
The former president also discussed the critical role water plays in food security. He explained that effective water management is essential to achieving food sufficiency, especially in a country like Nigeria, where agriculture is a major part of the economy. Obasanjo emphasized that relying solely on rain-fed agriculture is not sustainable, as irregular rainfall patterns, floods, and droughts can disrupt food production.
“Water is crucial to ensuring that we can have year-round farming, which is necessary for food security,” Obasanjo explained. “That’s why we established the River Basins, including the Oyan Dam, to ensure that agriculture in Nigeria could thrive regardless of the weather conditions.”
He argued that effective water management, including the use of irrigation systems in the River Basins, would support sustainable farming and ultimately contribute to food security. According to him, water management is a key element of the government’s efforts to boost agricultural productivity and ensure that Nigeria can feed its growing population.
In his address, Obasanjo praised the vision of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (O-ORBDA), which has worked tirelessly to promote water management in the region. He noted that the agency’s efforts to manage and distribute water resources for agricultural purposes are in line with the vision he had when he established the River Basins almost 50 years ago.
Adedeji Ashiru, the Managing Director of O-ORBDA, acknowledged the former president’s foresight and the importance of water management in Nigeria’s development. He noted that the United Nations had recognized the importance of sustainable water use through its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.
Ashiru also highlighted O-ORBDA’s current efforts, noting that the agency has been working to develop several irrigation projects and dams across the Southwest region of Nigeria. He revealed that the federal government had allocated N45 billion for the agency in 2025 to further its efforts in promoting irrigation farming and improving water accessibility for the people.
Obasanjo’s warnings about the overuse of boreholes and the underutilization of the Oyan Dam shed light on the need for better water management in Nigeria. The former president’s call for a more strategic and sustainable approach to water use is a timely reminder of the challenges the country faces in managing its natural resources effectively.
The Oyan Dam, which was once seen as a key infrastructure project to support the region’s water and energy needs, has the potential to provide much-needed water to the people of Abeokuta and Lagos, as well as generate electricity. However, its underperformance highlights the need for more attention to be given to existing infrastructure and water management projects.
With Nigeria’s growing population and increasing demand for water, the need for effective water management is more urgent than ever. Obasanjo’s comments and the work of agencies like O-ORBDA show that sustainable water management is essential to securing food production, ensuring access to clean water, and fostering economic development.
As the federal government continues to prioritize food security and agricultural growth, it must also focus on ensuring that water resources are used responsibly. Without proper management, Nigeria may face severe water shortages and environmental challenges in the years to come.
Obasanjo’s call for action on water management serves as a crucial reminder that the country must act now to protect its water resources for the future.
