How Nigerian water mgt entrepreneur Owolabi Ayorinde moved the industry ahead with affordable projects

By Benson Michael

Owolabi Oyebode Ayorinde, born on 19 November 1987 in Ibadan, has been active in the water management sector since November 2018. His operations primarily involve the design and installation of water treatment plants intended to increase access to clean water at reduced costs.

Ayorinde hails from Iragbiji in the Boripe Local Government Area. He had his early education at Valid Model School, Ibadan, and secondary education at Eyini High School, Ibadan, and Elefosan School of Science, Ipetu Ijesha, Osun State. He proceeded to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, for higher education.

He began his career in water treatment at the age of 25, driven by the desire to address water access and quality issues at the community level. He has since established his company, Crystal Water Technology Limited, which deals with water management services. The firm has conducted several training programs and technical projects in water treatment.

Among his achievements is the design and installation of Total Cost of Operation (TCO) programs in five Nigerian Breweries factories. These programs conserve about 10,000 cubic meters of water and 15,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity for each factory weekly. These have resulted in better use of resources and cost efficiencies in the operations.

Despite his professional activities, Ayorinde has yet to receive formal awards or recognition from government agencies or professional organizations. He has been involved in several community-level projects focused on water access improvement and environmental sustainability, however.

He has not performed or been recognized in any other capacities outside Nigeria and has not appeared on television or radio programs related to his business. His future plans include expanding his business operations to other nations, with a focus on establishing successful water treatment measures elsewhere.

Ayorinde’s personal history is a story of perseverance; he struggled with financial and societal challenges to develop into one of the key players in Nigeria’s water management sector. His operations continue to impact local enterprises and society through the provision of essential water services and promoting sustainability.