Professor Victor Makinde, a distinguished scholar in Applied Geophysics at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has sounded an alarm over unregulated borehole drilling in Nigeria, warning that the practice could trigger environmental disasters and public health crises.
Delivering FUNAAB’s 95th Inaugural Lecture on Wednesday, titled “Beneath the Waves: Resolving Ambiguities in the Petrologic Supermarket,” Prof. Makinde urged the government to establish robust regulatory frameworks to monitor borehole drilling activities.
He emphasized the necessity for mandatory registration of all borehole projects by organizations and drillers, which he said would ensure accountability and maintain high standards in water sourcing.
“Groundwater contamination poses severe health risks. It is critical that Geophysicists are actively engaged in ensuring the quality of water and protecting groundwater resources,” he said.
The professor identified the proximity of pollutant sources such as dumpsites and petrol stations to residential areas as a significant concern.
He stressed the urgency of providing water projects to underserved communities that lack municipal pipe-borne water systems, noting the dire implications of neglecting such areas.
In addition to water resource management, Prof. Makinde expressed apprehension over the unregulated development of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), describing them as a threat to biodiversity, cultural heritage, and humanity’s long-term survival.
He highlighted the critical role of the FUNAAB Physics Department in addressing these challenges, commending its contributions to training skilled Geophysicists and its potential to drive job creation.
However, he called for reduced costs and improved access to training in Geophysics to attract more young professionals.
The Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, lauded Prof. Makinde’s academic excellence, noting his extensive contributions to research and education.
Prof. Makinde has authored over 79 articles in Geophysics and more than 30 in Pedagogy and Science Education. He has also supervised 120 undergraduate projects, 21 M.Sc. theses, and 11 Ph.D. dissertations.
Prof. Kehinde further highlighted the professor’s leadership roles, including his tenure as Deputy Dean and Acting Dean of the College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS), describing him as a pillar of academic excellence and institutional development.
The lecture reinforced the need for urgent government action to regulate borehole drilling, ensure environmental sustainability, and safeguard public health, while also addressing broader issues such as GMO oversight and the development of critical infrastructure for underserved communities.
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