Villages along Nigeria’s coastline face severe weather and rapid sea level rise
The beautiful beachfront town of Akodo-Ise in Lagos, Nigeria, has dramatically changed due to coastal erosion. Once renowned for its lush coconut trees and serene environment, Kadiri Malik, a 40-year-old fisherman, recalls when he and his father would walk through coconut trees to begin their fishing day.
Now, coastal communities globally suffer from increasing sea levels due to worsening climate change.
It is the same for villages along Nigeria‘s coastline that face severe weather and rapid sea level rise. Akodo-Ise is the most affected, losing land to the ocean environment.
The fishermen suffered as most of the strong ocean surges at night, and fishermen often find their boats and nets missing the next day.
The fishing community has lost over 30 boats, 25 engines, and 50 net bundles in the past year.
Fishing is the only source of income for the community, but due to the fear of losing boats, fishermen make fewer trips to the sea, thereby making far less profit.
Additionally, fishermen travel further due to the rougher sea, consuming more fuel.
Before, they would use around 10 liters [2.64 gallons] for a round trip, but now they consume 35 to 40 liters [9.3 to 10.6 gallons].
Fuel costs have also increased since President Bola Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy. A liter of petrol used to cost 165 naira ($0.10) now costs 1100 naira ($0.65).
Since they lose their savings trying to buy a new boat for the lost one, many fishermen get help from a cooperative society, an organized monetary contribution scheme to borrow money for the boat and pay interest to the cooperative until they repay the loan.
Due to rising inflation at 32.7%, the engine cost, which used to cost 700,000 naira ($414), is now 2.5 million naira ($1,477). The price of fishing nets has increased from 30,000 naira ($18) to 85,000 naira ($50).
Most fishermen in Akodo-Ise feel they cannot change their careers handed from their ancestors, and they do not have the education to switch careers.
According to the United Nations Development Programme, almost 80% of people in African coastal communities depend on the sea for survival.
Meanwhile, many fishermen had more struggles than financial ones. Many people got injured as a result of heavy waves, and their savings got depleted. So, they depend on charity for money or food to feed their family.
Another indication that climate change is worsening is the rapid decrease in mangrove woods along the road to Akodo-Ise.
The Lekki deep seaport, the seventh-largest oil refinery in the world, shows the impressive business ventures that indicate the thriving economy. However, some of these projects are accused of worsening the climate problems in the local communities.
The village leader, Lateef Shittu, stated that many problems started around the Dangote refinery developments in 2004.
According to Adenike Adesemolu, director of The Green Institute, these projects disturb the flow of silt down the coast, destabilizing the shoreline.
Dredging prevents beaches from naturally replenishing because it removes a lot of sand and sediment from the seabed. The sand acts as a barrier to disperse the force of the waves when they hit the coast. Without it, waves strike the coast more forcefully, causing erosion to occur more quickly. As a result, the town is helpless against the sea’s natural force.
Large construction is causing imbalances in the water flow and modifying the natural landscape. The construction along the coast, which redirects the waves, increases the risk of flooding and violent sea incursions.
It is difficult to stop development activities, but they should be accountable for their impact and make provisions to reduce it.
Many young people make up the bulk of fishermen. They have tried talking to the authorities and held protests, but it was of no avail.
Since the future of fishing is uncertain, many are turning to bricklaying or carpentry as professions out of desperation to feed their families.
Many complain of stomachaches due to lack of meals. The ocean surge caused many to lose half of their applications and vital documents.
Even the graves have been washed by the coastal erosion, leaving families without a memorial to honor lost lives.
Though resilient, the village is powerless against an ocean rapidly coming to take away their houses and jobs.
The school building has damaged flooring, leaky roofs, and discolored floors exposed to water. The children will have nowhere to live or go to school in the future as the sea is encroaching and overturning the school.
As Akodo-Ise’s problem spreads throughout Lagos, various regions are experiencing floods and other climate-related disasters. Experts predict that Lagos will sink and soon become uninhabitable as the sea levels rise.
According to Okereke of the Centre for Climate Change and Development, poor design, poor management, ineffective drainage systems, and a lack of ocean-respecting people caused climate-related problems in Lagos.
The World Bank estimates that if the current coastal practices continue, up to 70% of the world’s sandy beaches may erode severely by 2100, and erosion linked to climate change may force 100 million people to relocate globally by 2050.
Immediate action is needed to undo this harm, including improved dredging regulations, proactive environmental management, and development that preserves rather than damages coastal habitats.
Okereke believes the government should promote local-based initiatives like planting and restoring mangroves.
Akinsemolu states that the government should fund emergency preparedness and early warning systems tailored to individual communities to help residents protect their houses and climate education programs for those living along the coast.