By Bunmi Yekini
Water scarcity is worsening in Lagos, and experts say climate change is to blame. At the 2025 World Water Day Symposium, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on March 25, speakers raised alarm over the growing threat of saltwater contamination in groundwater, which millions of Lagos residents rely on for survival.
The event, themed “Putting Glacier Preservation at the Core of Climate Action Plan,” brought together 142 stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, private sector leaders, and students, all seeking urgent solutions to Lagos’ water crisis.
“Salt is Taking Over Our Water”
For Professor Oluseyi Temilola, a chemistry expert from the University of Lagos, the reality is stark: climate change and rising sea levels are pushing saltwater into groundwater sources, threatening drinking water quality for the over 22 million residents of Lagos.
“Lagos is sitting on a ticking time bomb. Salt is taking over our water, and if we don’t act fast, clean drinking water will become a luxury,” she warned.
She urged the government to take immediate steps to address Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) challenges, stressing that unregulated borehole drilling and urbanization are making the situation worse.
Big Businesses Step In – But Is It Enough?
Private sector efforts were also spotlighted, with Mark Okeke, Managing Director of Cummins Nigeria, sharing insights on how the Cummins Water Works Initiative is providing access to clean water in coastal communities.
“We’ve helped thousands of Lagosians get clean water, but it’s not enough. Government must step up its efforts and work more closely with private partners like us,” Okeke said.
While acknowledging government efforts, he stressed the need for sustainable policies that prioritize safe water access for all.
The Money Problem: Why Lagos Struggles to Fix Its Water Crisis
A heated panel discussion followed, featuring key industry experts who tackled the major obstacles to clean water access.
Dr. Clement Oladejo (Funman Nigeria Ltd.) spoke about the role of the private sector in water provision, while Prof. Temilola highlighted the need for better water testing and treatment.
But for Femi Ogunleye from the Resilient Water Accelerator (RWA), the biggest issue is funding.
“Year after year, the budget for water remains too small. We need serious investment in this sector, or we’ll keep going in circles,” Ogunleye stressed.
He pointed to the Lagos Water Partnership (LWP) as a potential platform for attracting funding and private investment.
A Way Forward: Urgent Calls for Action
As the symposium wrapped up, experts outlined key recommendations to tackle the crisis:
Government must collaborate with neighbouring states to manage water resources more effectively.
Communities and individuals must reduce their carbon footprint to combat climate change.
Public-private partnerships should be strengthened to improve water access.
Deforestation must be reduced, and tree planting efforts increased.
More investment is needed in environmental education to raise awareness of water conservation.
A Warning for the Future
The message from the symposium was loud and clear: If Lagos does not take immediate action, its water crisis will spiral out of control.
With glaciers melting at record rates and sea levels rising, the fight for clean water is no longer a distant problem, it’s happening now, right here in Lagos.