#SaveOsunRiver
Nigeria is blessed with many mineral resources which could aid its economic upliftment. Mining activities commenced in the country in the 1940s, before the country’s independence in 1960. Although commercial, professional and supervised mining activities occur in the country, unsupervised non-professional artisanal mining is more prominent in present-day Nigeria.
Gold mining activities have become a problem in many parts of Nigeria, causing enormous social and environmental problem. In 2018, water in the 215km Osun River that flows from Ekiti State into Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos States and then into Lagos lagoon suddenly changed colour. This river which flows through over 73 communities and the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove (a UNESCO World Heritage site) has exposed millions of people to unspecified health problems which can be linked to water contamination caused by the pollution.
Initially, residents of the communities which directly and indirectly depend on the Osun River, and custodians of the Grove thought the change was a result of flood, which will only be a temporary issue, but this brownish colour has persisted for more than three years without any move for remediation.
Through #SaveOsunRiver Project, we;
- Identified the major polluters of the Osun River through data analysis.
- Conducted comprehensive physicochemical and microbiological tests for the water.
- Documented the effect of contamination of Osun River through human angle stories from Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove custodians, tourists, traditionalists and host community residents.
- Partnered with organizations to inform and mobilize residents
- Advocated to government agencies and relevant stakeholders about this persistent problem.
The Major Polluters
Locals and foreigners
The major polluters of the Osun River comprise of both unregulated artisanal and licensed core operators. The polluters mining gold has been identified as the source of contamination, with mercury and lead levels in some stretches exceeding World Health Organization limits by over 2,000%.
Physicochemical & Microbial Tests
Scientific investigation
Our research team undertook a rigorous scientific investigation, collecting water at six strategic points. Physicochemical and microbial test were carried out at trusted laboratories. The results revealed heavy-metal contamination far above safe thresholds. Mercury, cyanide and lead concentrations exceeded WHO guidelines by severalfolds.
Press Conference
Session with the press
The Urban Alert’s leadership outlined the grave extent of contamination plaguing the 213 km waterway, revealing test results showing mercury and lead levels exceeding permissible limits by over 1,000 % and 2,000 % respectively. We briefed the press and other stakeholders on firsthand accounts from affected communities where mothers trek miles for tainted water and children suffer recurring illnesses, and emphasized the cultural and economic importance of the Osun River as both a sacred site and vital resource.
Visual evidence and community testimonies were presented, underscoring the urgent health risks and the failure of previous “lip-service” responses from both state and federal agencies.
Concluding the session, Urban Alert formally called the Osun State Governement and the Federal Government to implement an independent, scientific remediation plan and establish a multi-stakeholder task force including NESREA, FCCPC, and local NGOs, to oversee transparent cleanup efforts and enforce environmental regulations.
Human Angle Stories
human angle story
Residents along the Osun River have long faced a daily struggle for safe water: heavy‐metal runoff and mining byproducts have turned their once-pristine source into a conduit for cancer‐causing toxins, forcing families to choose between sickness and thirst. Mothers walk miles with empty jerrycans, knowing each sip could carry debilitating disease, while children suffer recurring fevers and skin ailments in a community stripped of its basic right to clean water. We have captured these human stories on video, formally petitioned Osun State Government, Federal Government, and published in-depth contamination reports to press for action. By mobilizing grassroots testing teams, amplifying resident testimonies, and demanding transparent cleanup plans, we are exposing the crisis and giving communities a louder voice in the fight to #SaveOsunRiver.
Multi-stakeholders’ Engagement & Advocacy
Engagement with the osun state government
Officials of the Osun State Government, the Senators and House of Representative Memebers from Osun State were at different fora engaged.
Advocacy meetings were held with the Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, Mr Abdullahi Binuyo, who is also in charge of mining in Osun State. Mr Binuyo blamed the porous entry of inexperienced people into the mining sector, which has further caused environmental problems. Binuyo affirmed that mercury had been identified as one of the elements released into the Osun River by gold miners.
Multi-stakeholders' Meeting With Grove Custodians
In response to our engagments, the National Commission for Museums and Monument (the custodian of the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove - a UNESCO World Heritage Site) organised stakeholders meeting comprises The meeting which was attended by the representative of the Ataoja of Osogbo, High Chiefs, Traditionalists, officials of the Osun State Ministries of Environment, Culture and Tourism, officials of National Environmental Standards & Regulations Enforcement Agency and other important stakeholders. Surprisingly, the officials of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. Many decisions were made to #SaveOsunRiver, the Grove and the traditionalists.
Multi-stakeholders' Meeting In collaboration with Conflict Free Nation
In collaboration with Conflict Free Nation, we hosted relevant stakeholders at a Multistakeholders Meeting.
Officials of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, the National Environmental Standards & Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Osun State Ministry of Environment traditionalists and other stakeholders were in attendance.
The National Environmental Standards & Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) provided details on the steps taken before the contamination and the alarm raised to relevant agencies before the pollution became glaring. NESREA further made known the steps taken to address the situation by the State Office and the Headquarters.
Recall that the Director General of NESREA, at a press briefing in Abuja, made it known that the agency is currently investigating the Osun River contamination and is committed to prosecuting the offenders.
Taking responsibility for the contamination, representative of Omoluabi Mineral Promotion Company Ltd - a venture of the Osun State Government, was transparent in confirming that the company is the biggest licensed holder in Osun State. The company expressed the readiness of the company to end the contamination and ensure safe mining practices.
At the end of the meeting, stakeholders showed a renewed commitment to #SaveOsunRiver and their readiness to form a synergy towards ensuring responsible mining in Osun State.
Conferences and Intellectual Engagement
Water Reporting Summit
Along with the Zambian activit, Fumba Chama, our Team Lead, Anthony Adejuwon, was a panelist at the Water Reporting Summit hosted by TheCable and Bertha Foundation.
Undoubtedly, countries in Africa are faced with similar problems of injustice, inequality and corruption. However, the continent is also blessed with millions of young people who are willing to make positive change by ensuring that the least of us enjoy the fruit of the land.
The media has been a strong voice in flipping the script from inequality to equality.
Data and discoveries about Osun River Contamination was discussed and strategies fo stronger engagment were designed.
French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA-Nigeria) Researchers' Workshop
At the French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA-Nigeria), our Team Lead - Anthony Adejuwon, disclosed that over 2million lives in Osun State are threatened by the contaminated Osun River.
"Economic progress should not cost us our lives and the prosperity of a few should not plunge millions of people into diseases & death.
A committed government should protect the people, not offer them as a sacrifice on the altar of Internally Generated Revenue.
If we desire a society that works, researchers and development organizations must work together to protect lives and the environment to drive social change.
To save over 2million lives from the effects of illegal and unregulated licensed gold mining activities in Osun State, the government and all stakeholders must stand up and take a bold step to #SaveOsunRiver."