Professor John Jiya Musa, a renowned agricultural engineer at the Federal University of Technology, FUT, Minna, Niger State, has disclosed the presence of heavy metal contamination in farming soils near dumpsites in Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa states, capable of posing health risks to the population.
Professor Musa made this disclosure during his 115th Inaugural Lecture at FUT Minna, titled “Soil and Water Conservation Practices: A Tool for Sustainable Food Security,” where he warned that the presence of such contaminants could pose serious health challenges to consumers.
According to him, “Findings from my studies have revealed the presence of heavy metal contamination, such as copper, iron, and zinc, in farming soils near dumpsites in Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa states. They are introduced through improper waste disposal and are now entering the food chain because the crops cultivated on these former waste sites will be increasing health risks”.
Recall how a study in 2019 found high levels of contamination in soils and water sources in Zamfara State, resulting in the death of over 400 children in the state, even as studies have shown heavy metal contamination in soils in Delta, Kano, and Lagos States, among others.
Professor Musa also emphasised the importance of efficient natural resource management for global food security, noting the need for sustainable conservation techniques to improve irrigation efficiency and crop yields.
He also described irrigation engineering as a foundation for agricultural resilience and advocated for integrated soil management practices to prevent erosion and improve fertility.
However, Professor Musa lamented that despite promising technologies, low adoption due to limited awareness, lack of modern control systems, and land tenure issues still pose a significant challenge.
Decrying the situation, he stated, “We developed computer-based tools to manage water delivery effectively, but uptake remains low.”
He maintained that to tackle these challenges, robust government policies and incentives must be put in place, such as subsidies, tax exemptions, and farmer training, to promote sustainable practices, among others.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Faruk Adamu Kuta, who chaired the event, commended Professor Musa for his decades of impactful research and service while describing the lecture as “timely, relevant, and a wake-up call for action in tackling Nigeria’s food insecurity.”
“The message is unmistakable as Nigeria battles climate change, population growth, and food shortages, sustainable agriculture grounded in soil and water conservation is non-negotiable,” Prof. Kuta added.
