Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised concerns over the widespread drilling of water boreholes in residential areas, warning that the environmental repercussions could be severe in the long run.

Obasanjo, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, attributed the surge in borehole drilling, particularly in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, to the neglect of the Oyan Dam project, which his military administration initiated in 1977.

The former president voiced his concerns while receiving the Managing Director of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (O-ORBDA), Dr. Adedeji Ashiru, and his team during a visit to commemorate World Water Day.

The Danger of Unregulated Borehole Drilling

Obasanjo warned that the uncontrolled extraction of groundwater through boreholes poses environmental risks, including the depletion of water tables.

“The water supply is not there for Abeokuta, and we have continued to dig holes everywhere, causing the water level to drop. This will have repercussions in the future,” Obasanjo cautioned.

He emphasized the urgent need for strategic water management, describing it as crucial for ensuring food security and sufficiency.

“This was why, as a military Head of State in 1977, I prioritized water management by creating 11 river basins, including Lake Chad, to support all-year-round farming and power generation,” he added.

Oyan Dam: A Neglected Resource

Obasanjo lamented that the Oyan Dam, which was intended to provide water for Abeokuta and Lagos State and generate 9MW of electricity, has failed to fulfill its purpose due to years of neglect.

“Oyan Dam was built to supply water for Abeokuta and Lagos, but it has been ignored—just like the turbines meant for power generation. If operational, it could alleviate the nation’s ongoing electricity challenges,” he remarked.

He urged authorities to revive and maintain the dam’s infrastructure to address water shortages and power deficits.

Plans to Revitalize River Basins

In response, Dr. Adedeji Ashiru, the MD of O-ORBDA, praised Obasanjo’s foresight in establishing the river basins, noting that the United Nations only recently adopted similar water management strategies about a decade ago.

Ashiru outlined plans by the Ogun-Osun River Basin to construct seven new dams across Southwest Nigeria, with a ₦45 billion budget allocation for 2025 to drive irrigation farming, flood control, and other development initiatives.

He also highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing the river basins to enhance food security and sustainable water management.

As concerns grow over climate change and water scarcity, Obasanjo’s warning underscores the urgent need for comprehensive water resource management to avert future environmental crises.