The Ogun river cuts across the south-western Nigerian states of Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos before bursting into the Atlantic Ocean through the republic of Benin. Ogun State derived its name from this river.

Ogun River is of immense importance geologically, biologically, historically and culturally. The river provides habitat, nourishment and means of transport to countless organisms. The river provides travel routes for exploration, commerce and recreation. The river leaves valuable deposits of sediments such as sand and gravel along the banks on its way to the ocean. Ogun River is a source of domestic water which supports the populations that have settled on either side of the river’s course.

Ogun River

However, for a river from which Ogun State derived its name the river is not being well treated - the river is poorly maintained and faeces and domestic wastes are regularly emptied along its banks leaving the river polluted.

In a field study conducted in 2007 water samples were collected from thirteen different sites along Ogun River and analysed for physio-chemical and bacteriological parameters as well as heavy metals using standard methods. Generally, the values obtained for turbidity, phosphate, oil and grease, iron and faecal coliform from all the sites over a year were above the maximum acceptable limit set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for drinking water. This pollution of the river water along its course evidenced by the high concentrates of pollution indicators, nutrients and trace metals above the acceptable limit poses a health risk to the several rural communities who rely on the river primarily as their source of domestic water.

Ogun River is underdeveloped. The river is not navigable by sizeable inland water vehicles. This is sad because considering that the river has access to the sea and passes through five south-western states of Nigeria, if developed the river would provide a cheap alternative means of transport thus easing the current over-dependence on the over-burdened road networks. This river development however, would be a huge project if the Ogun River Basin States decided to develop the river. They would need to dredge the river and also carry out various environmental impact assessments among other tasks. The project would require them to invest huge amounts of capital and involve foreign as well as local expertise to carry it out. Carrying out projects of this magnitude however is not something we are good at in Nigeria. With the required dedication and commitment though it can be carried out and indeed should be carried out considering the benefits that can be derived from a developed Ogun River.

Domestic waste dumped along the river bank	Ogun River would need to be dredged to make it significantly navigable

A developed and navigable Ogun River will allow inland water boats and barges to transport people and goods up and down the river greatly boosting commerce. The river will also be able to support recreation and tourism which can bring in revenue to the Ogun River Basin States. One of the sites along the tour would be the historic Olumo Rock in Abeokuta.

The developed river would also have to be well maintained and treated for pollution to improve the source of domestic water for rural communities along the river. The river could also provide water for irrigation to support and improve agricultural production in south-west Nigeria.

Around the world examples abound of rivers that are of social, political, economic and recreational importance to their societies. These rivers are also popular tourist destinations. These rivers include the Nile of Egypt, Thames of England and Mississippi of the United States.

The Nigerian government has a vision 2020 goal of turning Nigeria into a developed economy by the year 2020. For this vision to come true regional projects like the development of the Ogun River Basin must be implemented successfully.