By Zoliswa Mdawini
It would be hard to find anyone who has contributed more significantly to global freshwater ecosystems than Professor Nelson Odume. Among many other highly respected and influential scientists in the field, he stands out for his ability to translate scientific research into real-world impact.
This distinction earned him recognition from the Society for Freshwater Science (SFS) for shaping policy, supporting ecosystem restoration, and boosting public engagement in freshwater issues. SFS is a global scientific organisation dedicated to advancing knowledge about freshwater ecosystems.
“It is probably one of the biggest in North America,” said Odume. Among five award categories, the Environmental Stewardship Award went to Odume.
Odume, Director of the Institute for Water Research at Rhodes University, is not merely a lecturer but a guide and visionary who finds joy in explaining the complex interplay of water, science, society, environment, and sustainability with meticulous detail.
His passion for water began in childhood in the Niger Delta — a densely populated wetland in southern Nigeria, once a central oil-producing region.
“Oil exploration and exploitation were polluting the water resources in this area. It was not just an environmental disaster; it also amplified poverty and inequality,” he said, “That early experience made me aware of the importance of water. The water we drink doesn’t come from the tap but from the environment.”
Seeing his community struggle to access enough water for basic needs like farming and fishing deeply affected him. This early awareness inspired him to pursue aquatic sciences during his master’s degree at Rhodes University, where he discovered a passion for water resource management.
“I started talking about pollution and how it affects ecosystems, the environment, our livelihoods, and development. It became an exciting area of work.” Odume emphasises that the lack of water resource management is a global crisis that demands urgent attention and action.
When he first arrived in South Africa on a scholarship with other scholars from across Africa, they all shared similar concerns — water pollution and scarcity were common issues. He believes it is unsustainable for Africa to continually rely on experts from Europe to solve its water problems.
“From an African perspective, one of my passions is seeing the continent develop internal capacity to address its water challenges. In South Africa, for example, water is not evenly distributed. Some areas are arid, while others have a good supply — but most of that, is polluted.”
He confirmed that pollution comes from littering, especially plastics, but there are less obvious pollutants, such as medications disposed of through toilets, and all are serious threats to water quality.
Odume has managed many international projects where he collaborated with different groups of scientists and students to work on clean water and river protection. These projects also involve local communities, they study how water access affects fairness and equality, they ensure vulnerable people have the water they need, and they create practical tools to solve water quality problems.
His work bridges the gap between academic research and practical solutions, inspiring a new generation of African scientists to take ownership of the continent’s water future.
