By Ayo Arowojolu
On the occasion of World Corrosion Day, marked across the globe on Thursday April 24, 2025, a University Don, Prof. Olayide Adetunji has canvassed well coordinated efforts of stakeholders in finding innovative solutions to remedy the negative effects of corrosion.
Prof Adetunji who is the Chairman, Nigerian Corrosion Association (NICA), Western Zone, said such solution measures should aim not only to prevent corrosion but also to take advantage of its positive aspects.
World Corrosion Day is celebrated around the world annually to raise public awareness on the impact of corrosion with over $2.5 trillion (US Dollars) and at least 3 to 4% of Gross Domestic Products in developed countries.
To Prof. Adetunji who is also Deputy Dean, College of Engineering, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta(FUNAAB), corrosion affects multiple sectors such as manufacturing, oil and gas, energy, marine, transportation and construction, among others.
According to him, the adverse effects of corrosion are the direct fallout of rampant cases of structural failures, building collapse, bridge failures, infrastructure degradation, equipment malfunctions, chemical leaks and many transportation risks in many countries.
He also listed such other issues which are resultant effects of corrosion such as reduced asset lifespan, increased capital expenditure, production losses and efficiency decreases.
Prof Adetunji, a Metalurgical and Materials Engineering expert, gave an alarming statistics of the safety impact of corrosion suggesting that in every few seconds, five tons of steel are disintegrating, the equivalent of approximately four average weight cars.
According to him, with only a few exceptions, the corrosion of metal is due to an irreversible reduction-oxidation reaction between the metal and an oxidising agent present in the surrounding environment.
His opinion is that corrosion is usually a natural and spontaneous process, the direct and indirect effects of which affect millions of people and limit the useful life of a variety of objects and equipment
Adetunji therefore suggested corrosion control and prevention measures, combined together with surface technology as way out of the menace.
He urged stakeholders including technical professionals, the government, industries, manufacturers to forge combined corrosion prevention and control measures to stem the menace of corrosion.
