Coastal pain

• Communities under siege, call for ocean protection

By Johnson Adebowale

A stark warning sounded recently from the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) as environmental leaders gathered to address the mounting crisis facing Nigeria’s coastal communities. The “State of the Ocean Workshop” painted a grim picture of a coastline under siege from oil spills, overfishing and rampant coastal development, with devastating consequences for both the environment and the people who depend on it.

Participants at the workshop

“Our oceans are not commodities, but life-sustaining ecosystems,” declared Nnimmo Bassey, environmental activist and convener of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF). He highlighted the plight of fishermen struggling to survive as industrial trawlers deplete fish stocks, and the looming threat of displacement for communities like Aiyetoro, facing the encroaching sea.

Across Nigeria’s coastline, many communities are suffering the consequences of laxly regulated resource extraction. “The economic forces driving this destruction prioritize profit over people,” Bassey said, pointing to the environmental devastation caused by oil spills, dredging and corporate fishing.

He named several disaster sites, including the Ororo Oil Well 1 in Ondo State, where an oil inferno has been burning for almost five years, contributing to a worsening climate crisis.

The workshop also shone a light on the plight of fishermen and women, who face diminishing catches as their waters are increasingly taken over by industrial interests. Bassey shared the heartbreaking story of Aiyetoro, a once-thriving community now threatened by rising sea levels and global warming, with fears of displacement looming unless urgent action is taken.

Makoko, a waterfront community in Lagos, was also highlighted as a prime example of environmental and social injustice. “The rights of communities like Makoko to housing, food, and health are being trampled by forces that seek to displace them for profit,” Bassey declared.

As the workshop progressed, it became clear that the destruction of marine biodiversity is closely tied to human rights violations. Bassey argued that the fight to defend the ocean is inseparable from the broader struggle for justice, calling on participants to resist the unchecked power of multinational polluters and demand accountability.

“Governments must act as stewards of the environment, ensuring that decisions about natural resources include the participation of those who rely on them,” he urged.

While Nigeria has signed international agreements to protect marine ecosystems, Bassey questioned the effectiveness of these measures, citing the destruction of protected areas and the privatization of public resources.

One of the workshop’s key discussions centered on the threat posed by land reclamation projects, which are often presented as urban development but, in reality, involve the conversion and grabbing of vital aquatic ecosystems. “These developments disregard the vital role the ocean plays in regulating our climate and sustaining life on Earth,” Bassey warned.

The event, which coincides with International Wetlands Day, ended on a call for urgent action. “Let us seize this moment to build a future where our oceans are protected, our rights are upheld, and our communities thrive,” Bassey concluded, calling for unity among scientists, policymakers, and activists to secure a sustainable future for Nigeria’s coastal regions.

Dr. Patience Obatola, Director of the NIOMR, echoed these concerns, warning that human activities have pushed the ocean to the brink.

“We need to be more friendly with the ocean,” she said, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts between government agencies, local communities, and environmental organisations to educate coastal residents on responsible ocean stewardship.

The workshop underscored the inextricable link between environmental degradation and human rights. The erosion of coastal livelihoods, the displacement of communities, and the loss of access to traditional fishing grounds all constitute serious human rights violations.

The event concluded with a renewed call for action. Participants, armed with a shared sense of urgency, vowed to fight for a future where Nigeria’s oceans are protected, and coastal communities can thrive.

This fight will require a collective effort from governments, businesses, and citizens to ensure a sustainable future for both people and the planet.