Prof. Adetunji Warns of "Silent Destroyer" as Corrosion Threatens Critical Nigerian Infrastructure and Public Safety

Materials expert Prof. Adetunji sounds the alarm on corrosion as a "silent destroyer" of Nigerian infrastructure. Read his solutions for bridges, buildings, and pipes.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 11, 2026, 8:08 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Independent Newspapers

The Hidden Menace to National Infrastructure

In a comprehensive call to action, Prof. Olayide Adetunji has identified corrosion as a primary threat to Nigeria’s industrial growth and environmental sustainability. Delivering the 109th Inaugural Lecture at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), the materials engineering scholar characterized the chemical degradation of metal as a "silent destroyer." Unlike sudden mechanical failures, corrosion often weakens the structural integrity of critical assets—including transport bridges, petroleum pipelines, and high-rise buildings—without showing immediate outward signs of distress. Prof. Adetunji warned that neglecting this "hidden menace" could lead to avoidable structural collapses and high-consequence industrial accidents.

Engineering Solutions and Preventive Technologies

The lecture, titled “Combating the Hidden Menace of Metallic Materials: Panacea for Industrial Growth and Environmental Sustainability,” outlined several proven methodologies to mitigate these risks. Prof. Adetunji emphasized that the selection of corrosion-resistant alloys and the application of specialized protective coatings are fundamental first steps in the design phase. For buried infrastructure, such as underground storage tanks at fuel filling stations and long-distance petroleum pipelines, he specifically advocated for the deployment of sacrificial anode cathodic protection systems. These systems protect primary metallic structures by allowing more reactive "sacrificial" metals to corrode in their place, thereby preventing leakages that contaminate soil and groundwater.

Addressing the Economic Burden of Maintenance Neglect

One of the most significant challenges highlighted was the high cost of corrosion-related repairs, particularly in developing economies where a "maintenance culture" is often lacking. Prof. Adetunji noted that the financial impact of corrosion is frequently underestimated by policymakers and industrial operators alike. To address this, he proposed the establishment of dedicated corrosion monitoring and control units within manufacturing companies and tertiary institutions. By utilizing advanced monitoring technologies capable of detecting early-stage deterioration, organizations can transition from reactive repairs to predictive maintenance, significantly extending the operational lifespan of th...