A top Lagos State government official, Mahmood Adegbite, has issued a stark warning to residents of Lekki and surrounding areas, stating that anyone digging a borehole in the upscale neighborhood is “probably drinking sh*t water.” His blunt statement, captured in a now-viral video, has sparked outrage, concern, and renewed scrutiny over water safety in Lagos’ rapidly developing coastal districts.
Adegbite, the Director of Water Resources at the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, made the shocking revelation during a public sensitization program, where he highlighted the severe risk of groundwater contamination due to the region’s poor sanitation infrastructure and high water table.
According to him, many homes in Lekki rely on boreholes for their water supply, even though the area lacks a centralized sewage system. “The reality is, in places like Lekki, with everyone digging soakaways and boreholes side by side, you’re not drinking clean water. You’re likely drinking water laced with human waste,” he warned.
He attributed the contamination to the infiltration of faecal matter into the underground water system, caused by the proximity of soakaway pits to boreholes. The Lekki peninsula, being a low-lying, waterlogged area, is particularly vulnerable to such environmental hazards, especially when urban development outpaces proper sanitation planning.
His remarks have ignited fierce debate across social media platforms, with some Lagosians commending the official for speaking the truth in strong terms, while others criticized the language used, calling it crass and unprofessional. Nonetheless, many experts and environmentalists agree with the underlying message — that groundwater in coastal Lagos is highly susceptible to pollution, and more must be done to ensure safe drinking water for all.
Water quality tests conducted by various independent bodies in the state have previously shown dangerously high levels of E. coli and other harmful bacteria in borehole water from Lekki, Ikoyi, and Victoria Island — all linked to sewage contamination.
Adegbite called for urgent reforms, including stricter regulations on borehole drilling, investment in public water infrastructure, and the adoption of proper sewage disposal systems. He emphasized that water treatment alone cannot resolve the issue if the source remains polluted.
As the video continues to circulate, his comments have triggered broader questions about the sustainability of Lagos’ urban planning model and the hidden health risks facing even its wealthiest neighborhoods.
For now, the warning stands: in Lekki, your borehole might not just be delivering water — it could be delivering a dangerous cocktail of sewage and bacteria straight to your tap.
