Environmental activists have adopted humour as a strategic tool to confront Nigeria’s growing ecological crisis.
The activists insisted that traditional advocacy approaches are no longer sufficient to spur meaningful action.
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) spearheaded the initiative by organising a one-day eco-comedy show on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Benin.
At the event, stakeholders highlighted the power of humour to engage the public, simplify complex environmental issues, and sustain advocacy efforts.
The Executive Director of HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, said the initiative was in response to rising frustration among citizens and environmental campaigners over slow progress.
“The environmental challenges in Nigeria are so many and so severe that people are getting tired of merely complaining.
“Even those campaigning for environmental justice are beginning to wonder if change is possible,” he said.
Bassey explained that HOMEF deliberately introduced eco-comedy to reshape environmental conversations and attract attention in new ways.
“Eco-comedy is not just about making people laugh. When people laugh about an issue, they also reflect on it. It becomes a tool for awareness and action,” he said.
He added that humour could help bridge the gap between advocacy and policy response.
“Sometimes, it is difficult to know whether government is listening. But humour can capture attention and make people see what they would normally ignore,” he said.
Bassey also cautioned against trivialising serious environmental concerns, including debates around genetically modified organisms.
“These are issues of life. They affect us in many dimensions and should not be treated casually,” he said.
Also speaking, Mariann Bassey-Olsson of the Environmental Rights Action said activists now rely on humour to cope with the pressures of sustained advocacy.
“We are laughing on purpose because if we don’t, this work will overwhelm us.
“The issues we deal with are heavy, and without joy, the movement cannot survive,” she said.
She described eco-comedy as both a communication and survival tool.
“Humour allows us to tell the truth, expose injustice, and remain human in the struggle.
“One good joke can achieve what a 40-page report cannot,” she said.
Bassey-Olsson warned that losing morale could weaken advocacy movements.
“If we lose our joy, we risk losing the movement.
“Laughter helps us reconnect and keep going,” she added.
The event also featured an eco-comedy short film competition, where Cynthia Bright emerged winner and received a N250,000 prize.
Participants said integrating creativity into advocacy could boost public engagement and help drive meaningful action on environmental issues.
By Usman Aliyu