By Felix Osadebe

In a groundbreaking move towards safer water and environmental sustainability, six major water treatment facilities in the country have implemented a pioneering biodegradation process developed by Nigerian material research engineer Philip Ugbede Ojo Onuche whose work focuses on practical application of green and sustainable chemistry to solve problems in the area of public health and the environment.

The innovation first reported in the year 2016, targets three hazardous chemicals namely: Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB), Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and Methylparaben (MP). These pollutants known as surfactants are commonly found in wastewater from hair salons and cosmetic industries. These substances are notoriously difficult to remove and pose significant risks to aquatic life and human health.

Mr. Onuche’s method uses specialized bacteria, extracted from sewage treatment sludge and following OECD biodegradation guidelines, to achieve degradation rates of up to 98.3% for CTAB and 94.7% for MP. This remarkable performance far exceeds conventional treatment methods with 76.7% and does so without introducing harmful secondary pollutants.

According to a senior engineer and expert with the federal ministry:

“We adopted this process because it offers both efficiency and environmental safety. This is the first time such high biodegradation rates for these chemicals have been achieved at our plant, and it aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals for clean water and sanitation.”

Since adoption, the system has improved water quality compliance metrics by over 35%, with the treated water now consistently meeting World Health Organization (WHO) standards for these pollutants.

Experts note that this innovation has the potential for broader application across Africa and in countries facing similar wastewater challenges. The African Centre of Excellence in Water and Environmental Research (ACEWATER) has used this work as reference in its water purification method and cited the work in one of its article publications earlier this year. 

Additionally, the approach has already attracted interest from policy advisors in Water Resources and Sanitation for possible further deployment beyond just one water treatment plant per the six geopolitical zones of the country.