Expert urges national water quality monitoring system in Nigeria

As concerns over Nigeria’s environmental health deepen, an environmental microbiologist, Dr. Eheneden Iyobosa, has called on the federal government to establish a National Water Quality Information and Monitoring System (NWQIMS) to improve transparency and ensure public access to safe drinking water. Dr. Iyobosa, whose research focuses on water treatment and wastewater reuse, said the quality […]

As concerns over Nigeria’s environmental health deepen, an environmental microbiologist, Dr. Eheneden Iyobosa, has called on the federal government to establish a National Water Quality Information and Monitoring System (NWQIMS) to improve transparency and ensure public access to safe drinking water.

Dr. Iyobosa, whose research focuses on water treatment and wastewater reuse, said the quality of water millions of Nigerians consume daily remains largely undocumented and scientifically uncertain.

“To my surprise, there was no publicly available or centralized database containing such crucial information,” he revealed, describing his failed attempt to access national data on influent and effluent water quality from public and private treatment plants.

According to him, the absence of a structured and open water data system leaves Nigeria far behind global best practices.

He noted that in developed countries, real-time water quality information is available to both citizens and scientists through online databases.

“In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) operates open databases that track every parameter from fluoride to PFAS in public water systems,” he said. “Similarly, the European Union’s Water Framework Directive mandates member states to publish periodic reports on water quality for transparency and accountability.”

However, in Nigeria, neither state water corporations nor the Federal Ministry of Water Resources provides detailed or up-to-date water quality data online, a situation he described as “a serious gap in public health protection and water governance.”

He warned that the lack of reliable monitoring means emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, hormones, and antibiotic residues remain unchecked in wastewater discharges and drinking water sources, especially as urbanization and industrial activities expand.

“Without proper monitoring, these pollutants silently threaten human health and the environment,” Dr. Iyobosa cautioned.

To bridge this gap, the researcher proposed the creation of a centralized, digital monitoring platform that collects, analyzes, and publishes data from all public and private water treatment plants.

“This system should follow standardized protocols for sampling, testing, and reporting. Integrating remote sensing, online sensors, and GIS-based dashboards will improve efficiency, transparency, and early warning for contamination events,” he suggested.

He also urged the Nigerian government to strengthen collaborations with universities and research institutions to build reliable baseline data and drive innovation in water treatment.

“Creating accessible open-data repositories will empower local scientists, investors, and civil society to make informed decisions that protect both public health and the environment,” he added.

Dr. Iyobosa emphasised that water quality data transparency is not merely a technical exercise, but a public right and a cornerstone of environmental justice.

“With increasing climate pressures and population growth, ensuring the safety of Nigeria’s drinking water must rise to the forefront of national policy and governance,” he concluded.