Redeemer’s University’s Watershed Management Strategy: Safeguarding Aquatic Biodiversity Through Science

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Redeemer’s University, Ede, through the Africa Centre of Excellence for Water and Environmental Research (ACEWATER), demonstrates a clear commitment to the sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems and watershed protection. While the University’s approach is primarily research-driven, its initiatives collectively align with the implementation of a watershed management strategy grounded in location-specific biodiversity and water-quality data.



A Science-Based Framework for Watershed Protection

At the core of Redeemer’s University’s environmental efforts lies ACEWATER, a World Bank–supported Africa Centre of Excellence dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and policy in water and environmental systems. ACEWATER’s mandate encompassing water resource management, ecosystem regulation, and sustainable community development provides the scientific foundation for a watershed approach that balances human needs with ecological integrity.

The Environment and Water Resources Regulation Unit (EWRRU) within ACEWATER plays a key role in supporting legal and regulatory frameworks for sustainable water use. By generating data and policy insights on hydrological systems and ecosystem dynamics, the Unit contributes to strategic watershed governance relevant to Osun State and the surrounding regions.



Biodiversity-Driven Water Research

Researchers at Redeemer’s University have produced location-based studies on freshwater biodiversity and aquatic health, focusing on parameters such as chemical pollutants, microbial load, and biological indicators (including macro-invertebrates and odonate species).

These studies, freely available through open-access academic journals and the University’s digital repository, help characterize local aquatic species diversity and form the scientific evidence base for future watershed and conservation actions.

Such research not only strengthens ecological understanding of Nigerian freshwater systems but also informs management strategies to minimise physical, chemical, and biological alterations in vulnerable aquatic environments.



Collaboration and Capacity Building

Through ACEWATER III, Redeemer’s University partners with other African universities, research institutes, and regulatory agencies to share knowledge on integrated water resource management, groundwater protection, and biodiversity conservation. These partnerships, supported by the World Bank and the Association of African Universities (AAU), enable the University to develop context-specific strategies and build regional expertise on sustainable watershed stewardship.

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