Osun Borehole Permit Policy Will Sanitize Water Drilling, Says OAU Geophysicist

A lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Dr. Ayo Eluyemi, has backed the Osun State government’s newly introduced borehole drilling permit, describing it as a policy that will sanitize the water drilling sector and protect residents from quack practices.

Speaking in an interview in Ile-Ife, Dr. Eluyemi, a geophysicist and researcher at the Centre for Energy Research and Development, explained that while some groups, including the Coalition of Concerned Nigeria Citizens (CCNC), have opposed the alleged ₦50,000 permit fee by agitators, the policy is already operational in states like Oyo, Ogun and Ondo, where it has curbed unprofessional drilling activities.

“The issue of permit is not new. In Oyo and Ondo States, you cannot drill without paying for a permit. What Osun is doing now is to ensure only competent professionals are allowed to practise. Over 90% of those who call themselves drillers today are quacks people like bricklayers and plumbers who impersonate geologists,” Eluyemi said.

According to him, the policy will ultimately benefit residents as it ensures value for money. “An average borehole costs about ₦1.5 million to drill. Asking practitioners to pay ₦30,000 against ₦50,000 alleged by agitators for a permit that guarantees competence is fair. It is like ensuring that a medical doctor is certified before treating patients,” he explained.

On concerns that the policy would make access to water more expensive for poor households, the OAU don disagreed. He argued that rather than burden residents, the regulation would protect them from losses caused by unprofessional drilling, and in the long run, could help reduce dependence on foreign-owned drilling firms, especially Indian companies, which currently dominate the sector.

Dr. Eluyemi also pointed to structural and infrastructural challenges as reasons why governments cannot easily provide centralized water supply for all Nigerians. He noted that dispersed settlements, poor land use planning, and erratic power supply make it difficult for state governments to effectively deliver pipe-borne water.

He urged Osun residents to embrace the new policy, stressing that it was a “win-win” step toward better water management and professional regulation. “We need to support this initiative. Our neighboring states started long ago and are reaping the benefits. This is not politics; it is about professionalism, safety, and the future of water resources in our state,” he concluded.