Author: Effah Amponsah, WACREN
Water quality is a critical concern in many developing countries, including Nigeria, where challenges in monitoring surface water pollution persist due to rapid urbanisation, population growth, and climate change impacts. WACREN, in collaboration with ICTP and the Obafemi Awolowo University, recently held a collaborative workshop on using IoT-based sensors for real-time pollution monitoring in surface water bodies in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, to address these challenges.
The Workshop, which attracted participants from various Nigerian universities and international attendees from Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Togo, aimed to equip participants with innovative tools for environmental monitoring using IoT-based sensors.
Facilitators introduced participants to IoT technology, renewable energy sources for powering IoT devices, and communication technologies relevant to environmental monitoring. Participants delved into solar energy technology, systematic literature review, Lora Gateway functions, and Tiny Machine Learning. Practical sessions on assembling IoT nodes for pollution monitoring provided valuable hands-on experience.
A significant highlight of the Workshop was deploying and commissioning water pollution monitoring kits and solar panels at the Okpa River. The Workshop facilitators led this practical demonstration, showcasing IoT technology’s application in real-world scenarios.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor of OAU presided over the commissioning ceremony, marking the official launch of the IoT-based sensors deployed for water pollution monitoring in Ile-Ife. Expressing gratitude to the organisers and facilitators, she emphasised the project’s potential impact on environmental conservation efforts.
The Workshop set the stage for advanced research leveraging IoT technology for environmental monitoring, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
The activity forms part of WACREN’s contribution to meeting the SDG 6 Target 6.3. The Workshop was supported by the AfricaConnect3 project, co-funded by the European Commission.
