Nigeria can no longer rely solely on conventional methods to tackle growing environmental threats.
The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Dr. David Adewuyi Oke, made this known as he called for the deployment of Artificial Intelligence, Geographic Information Systems and other emerging technologies to strengthen environmental protection.
Oke made the call while delivering the Polytechnic’s 14th Inaugural Lecture, titled “Materials and Environment: Safer Communities from Environmental Engineering Perspective,” at the North Campus Assembly Hall of the institution in Ibadan.
Eminent scholars at The Polytechnic, Ibadan’s 14th Inaugural Lecture held on wednessday 19th August, 2026
The engineering scholar said technologies such as AI, GIS, remote sensing, Internet of Things and real-time data analytics could transform environmental monitoring by helping authorities detect risks early, obtain accurate data, improve Environmental Impact Assessments and enforce environmental regulations more effectively.
(L-R) Dr Adewuyi Oke, Inaugural Lecturer; Dr. Taiwo Lasisi, Rector; and Dr. Kola Lawal, Compere/Dean, Faculty of Environmental Studies.
He warned that Nigeria’s rapid urbanisation and industrial growth could undermine public health and ecological balance if environmental management was not given equal attention. According to him, Environmental Impact Assessment must move beyond a routine regulatory exercise to become a scientific and engineering mechanism for predicting hazards, developing mitigation strategies and ensuring sustainable infrastructure.
Cross section of the audience ( 1st from Left – wife of Inaugural Lecturer, Mrs Bola Oke )
Oke identified noise pollution, contaminated water and indiscriminate tree felling among environmental dangers threatening communities. He made reference to environmental challenges associated with oil spill remediation at the NNPC Depot, noise pollution at Bodija Market, Tin Can Island Port and the Lagos-Ibadan Railway as cases demonstrating the need for stronger assessment and monitoring.
Rector, Dr. Taiwo Lasisi, leading the procession into the North Campus Assembly Hall for the 14th Inaugural Lecture of The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
The don also challenged government agencies to move beyond merely making environmental laws, insisting that effective monitoring, compliance, periodic audits and enforcement were necessary to make such regulations meaningful.
He further appealed to Nigerians to protect trees and end indiscriminate felling, stressing that trees are essential to environmental sustainability because they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
From R-L: Dr. Taiwo Lasisi (Rector): Dr. Engnr. D. A. Oke (Inaugural Lecturer); and Mr. Femi Ipadeola (Chairman, Inaugural Lectures Committee)
The lecture was attended by the Chairman of the Polytechnic’s Governing Council, Prof. Lanre Nassar; the Rector, Dr. Taiwo Lasisi; Registrar, Dr. Taiwo Olajide; Bursar, Mr. Abiodun Kolawole Adegbola; Chief Librarian, Mr. Olukunle Akinbola Osunrinade, and Chairman of the Inaugural Lectures Committee, Mr. Femi Ipadeola, among other academics and guests.
(L-R) Dr Adewuyi Oke, Inaugural Lecturer; Dr. Taiwo Lasisi, Rector; and Dr. Kola Lawal, Compere/Dean, Faculty of Environmental Studies.
Nassar, while speaking after the lecture, called for stronger collaboration between academia and industry, saying research outputs from tertiary institutions should be translated into practical solutions to Nigeria’s developmental challenges.
The Rector, Lasisi, similarly described research and innovation as critical to solving real life problems, urging industries and members of the public to make greater use of innovations emerging from academic institutions, particularly in artificial intelligence, renewable energy and environmental management.
