At the 449th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Lagos, Professor Ezechiel Oladapo Longe of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering made an illuminating presentation on Unlocking the Hidden Treasures: The Complexity, Availability, and Vulnerability of Groundwater Resources.
The inaugural lecture ( https://ir.unilag.edu.ng/items/bb09ce21-5c11-4f05-a655-4b4df280fc2a), the 3rd in the 2025/2026 Academic Session, was an eye-opener for attendees as they discovered the importance of underground water and its role. Addressing the audience of academics, dignitaries, staff, and students, Professor Longe described groundwater as “a crucial yet invisible natural resource”.
He related groundwater to the global water cycle, scientifically known as the Hydrologic Cycle, which is the continuous exchange of water between the atmosphere, soil water, surface water, plants, and other elements. He noted that the movement of groundwater in this cycle maintains balance and sustains the ecosystem.
Statistically, he explained that Nigeria has extensive groundwater resources located in eight recognized hydrogeological areas, with a total water resource of 319.2 million cubic meters per year. The renowned academic noted that increased population and industrialisation have led to increasing water demands, resulting in stress on the groundwater resource.
aquifer system is complex,
Using Lagos as a case study, he explained that the population has grown in such astronomic dimensions that put immense pressure on water demand and sourcing. According to him, from a handful 300,000 in 1932, Lagos’ population had been projected to reach 24.4 million by 2025, and the problem of groundwater consumption without a corresponding improvement in water supply infrastructure affects the population.
“Discharge must not be greater than recharge, else there will be problems”, he affirmed.
He advocated that understanding and managing the relationship between the aquifer and the hydrologic water cycle is essential for sustainable water management. In his words: “there is a need for appropriate policy and guidelines on both private and public use of groundwater by the Lagos State government through the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission.”
Other recommendations made by Professor Longe for the sustainable management of groundwater as a vital, yet hidden, complex and vulnerable resource include:
- The adoption of integrated water resource management (IWRM) practices.
- The expansion of the Water Resources Act (CAP W2. LFN 2004) and Water Use and License Regulations, 2016 to cover key issues such as Mandatory groundwater assessment, development, and management prior to abstraction; Clear delineation of state government roles in resource management; Regulation borehole numbers, quantity, and quality to prevent over-abstraction; among others
- The establishment of nationwide Groundwater Monitoring Networks to monitor groundwater levels, quality, and recharge rates.
- Policy and regulatory frameworks for enforcement, education, and community engagement.
About Professor Ezechiel Oladapo Longe
Professor Ezechiel Oladapo Longe is a distinguished academic and expert in water resources and Environmental Engineering. Born on June 25, 1956, in Ibadan, Nigeria, he has made significant contributions to his field through his research and teaching career.
His academic background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Obafemi Awolowo University (formerly University of Ife), Ile-Ife, Nigeria (1981), Master of Science degree in Applied Geology (Hydrogeology/Engineering Geology) from the same university (1984), and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Water Resources/Environmental Engineering) from Université des Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc, Montpellier, France (1989).
Professor Longe’s academic career spans over three decades, and it has been in teaching and research, contributing positively to the continuous development of water resources curriculum and research in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Lagos. He has held various positions including Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, and Professor of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering at UNILAG. He has co-supervised six PhD theses, and served in several Departmental, Faculty and University committees.
His research interests focus on groundwater hydraulics, contaminant fate and transfer in coastal aquifers, Geo-hydrological impact of landfill operations and integrated water resources management of hydrological basin. Some of his notable research works include “Hydrogeology of Lagos metropolis”, “Groundwater Resources Potential in the Coastal Plain Sands Aquifers, Lagos” and “Appraisal of water supply facilities in Rural Riverine Coastal Areas of Lagos State.” He has published numerous papers in reputable journals and conferences, showcasing his expertise in water resources management and environmental engineering.
Outside the University, Professor Longe has served as an external examiner to several institutions within and outside the country including Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; University of Ibadan; University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa; and Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, Kigali, Rwanda.
He has provided consultancy services to various private and public bodies such as Federal Ministries of Water Resources, Health, and Environment as well as States Environmental Protection Agencies. A member of several national and international technical committees on water resources, Professor Longe was President, West Africa Sub-Regional Technical Committee of the Global Water Partnership (GWP/WA) with headquarters in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
As a member of several professional organizations including the Council of Mining Engineering and Geoscientist (COMEG); Corporate Member of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Fellow of Nigeria Association of Hydrological Sciences (FNAHS) and an associate member of Nigerian Society of Engineers (AMNSE), Professor Longe continues to contribute to the development of his field through research, teaching, and service.
An ordained minister, District Overseer cum Axis Coordinator in Foursquare Gospel, Nigeria; Professor Longe is married to Dr. Mrs. Olubukola Longe, an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Foundations, University of Lagos. Their union is blessed with children.
Photography: Joshua Michael
