UNILAG Don Advocates Interdisciplinary Environmental Education, Climate-Resilient Infrastructure for Sustainability

 

Funmi Ogundare 

A Professor of Environmental Geography, Faculty of Social Science at the University of Lagos, Amidu Owolabi Ayeni,
has called for an interdisciplinary environmental education, participatory policymaking, investment in climate-resilient
infrastructure and improved data-sharing among government agencies, universities and development partners.

He urged universities to move beyond knowledge generation to becoming drivers of transformative change, stressing that sustainable environmental development requires collaboration among scientists, policymakers and local communities.

Ayeni, who made this known at the institution’s 456th inaugural lecture series titled, ‘Geography, Development and Identity:
Where is the Duplication’, identified water insecurity driven by governance lapses, socio-economic disparities and
environmental mismanagement as a major development challenge confronting sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria.
 
He explained that environmental challenges across the region are deeply interlinked, multi-scalar and socially embedded, requiring interdisciplinary research and knowledge systems that prioritise live experiences, local insights and participatory governance.

According to him, “The crisis of water in Nigeria is not merely about physical scarcity, but also distributional injustice,
infrastructural failure and weak governance.”

He noted that water quality and access in urban, peri-urban and rural communities are shaped by socio-economic disparities, institutional weaknesses and environmental mismanagement.

Ayeni also expressed concern over environmental sustainability, warning that biodiversity loss, wetland degradation and
increasing fragmentation of forest ecosystems in urban and peri-urban spaces are undermining essential ecosystem
services such as water purification, climate regulation, food provisioning and flood mitigation.

He attributed the trend to rapid land conversion, weak regulatory oversight and disregard for ecological thresholds.

The don emphasised the importance of Indigenous Knowledge Systems ( IKS), describing cultural and informal knowledge as credible and sustainable tools for environmental monitoring, agricultural innovation and climate adaptation, particularly in marginal environments where modern science struggles to gain traction.

On climate change, he presented evidence of accelerating climatic shifts and their disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, emphasising that adaptive capacity is embedded in local experience.

He added: “Combining scientific data with perception-based knowledge from farmers, elders and local experts would
strengthen climate response strategies.”

He also underscored the role of geo-spatial analytics, noting that Geographic Information Systems( GIS) and statistical
models developed through his research, support environmental diagnostics, early warning systems, pollution monitoring and efficient resource allocation.

Ayeni maintained that geography remains a distinct discipline because it examines the spatial distribution of phenomena and their relationships within the human-environment nexus, adding that it transcends disciplinary boundaries by analysing causal interrelationships and contextual conditions shaping environmental and social realities.

He called for the adoption of integrated water resources management to address water insecurity through equitable
distribution and participatory planning, while also urging policymakers to mainstream indigenous knowledge, institutionalise perception-based climate data and strengthen community-based ecosystem management.

In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, emphasised that indigenous knowledge
systems are dynamic and practical frameworks for sustainability rather than outdated cultural relics.

She emphasised their role in addressing environmental challenges and strengthening community resilience.

She explained that Ayeni’s research demonstrates the strong interconnections among land-use change, biodiversity
conservation and pollution, noting that these factors collectively influence livelihoods and environmental sustainability.

She added: “The studies generated actionable insights into how environmental changes shape resilience, particularly through the integration of remote sensing, spatial analysis and ecological assessment.”

According to her, indigenous knowledge systems continue to evolve and remain relevant in tackling contemporary
environmental problems.

She stressed that communities possess practical strategies for managing ecosystems, conserving biodiversity and adapting to environmental pressures, which should be incorporated into modern policy frameworks.

The VC further explained that combining scientific approaches with local knowledge enhances understanding of
environmental dynamics and supports sustainable development.

She noted that such integration can improve decision-making, strengthen conservation efforts and promote climate
resilience in vulnerable communities.

Recognising indigenous practices, Ogunsola, noted, would help bridge the gap between traditional wisdom and modern
environmental management, ensuring that development initiatives are culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable.

She called for increased collaboration among researchers, policymakers and local communities to harness indigenous
knowledge for long-term sustainability.