Some residents and environmental experts have raised alarm over persistent flooding along the Lekki–Ajah corridor in Lagos, blaming land reclamation, ocean surge, and unregulated development.
In separate interviews, residents recounted distressing experiences of flash floods disrupting life, damaging property, and causing panic in coastal communities.
Flooded highway in Lekki, Lagos
Mr. Mike Umukoro, a Lekki resident, said rainfall now triggers fear among residents because of the intensity and duration of flash floods.
“Each time it rains, anxiety grips everyone. The roads become impassable, vehicles get trapped, and homes are threatened,” he said.
Similarly, Mrs. Ese Edema, a Lekki Phase 1 resident, described the panic caused by recent heavy rainfall.
“During the last downpour, I couldn’t reach my son’s school. Some parents accessed theirs only around midnight when the flood subsided,” she said.
She added that traffic gridlock from the flood extended to Victoria Island.
Another resident, Mr. Marvel Adeniran, blamed reckless developers for worsening the flooding.
“Land reclamation and unchecked construction are destroying natural drainage paths. Most estates are flooded after every rainfall, making life unbearable,” he said.
Mr. Nicolas Ogbedo, Managing Director of Zvecan Group, warned that continued reclamation for housing projects in coastal zones was unsustainable.
“This practice harms marine resources and increases flooding by blocking natural drainages. Reclaimed lands are unstable and costlier to maintain,” he said.
Ogbedo urged the Lagos State Government to create new inland urban centres to ease pressure on coastal areas and enforce strict environmental compliance.
Mr. Sulaimon Arigbabu, Executive Secretary of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, said ocean surges were worsened by climate change and uncoordinated coastal interventions.
“In trying to solve one problem, government created another. The Eko Atlantic project protects Victoria Island but worsens erosion toward Lekki and Epe,” he said.
Arigbabu called for the release of the Environmental Impact Assessment report on Eko Atlantic and for nature-based coastal protection strategies.
Mr. Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative, said coastal communities in Lagos were under “assault” from unregulated reclamation and dredging.
“From Ibeju-Lekki to Okun Alfa, these projects disrupt sea ecosystems and heighten vulnerability to ocean incursion. Government must heed scientific warnings,” he said.
In 2024, the Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr Joseph Onoja, warned that the Lekki–Epe corridor could be washed away without urgent action.
He said about 128 metres of land were lost to ocean encroachment between 2018 and 2022.
“Our drone images show steady inland ocean advance. If nothing changes, the Lekki–Epe expressway may be submerged within years,” Onoja warned.
He urged immediate government intervention to protect communities and key infrastructure from further destruction.
Responding to growing concerns, the Lagos State Government has suspended all land reclamation activities pending environmental review.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the suspension on Sept. 18, citing unauthorised reclamation on wetlands, floodplains, and lagoons.
Affected areas include Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, and parts of Ikorodu.
“Lagos’ low-lying terrain cannot withstand indiscriminate reclamation without grave consequences.
“All ongoing projects, with or without EIA approvals, are suspended pending verification. Defaulters face sanctions, site closure, and possible arrest,” he said.
He added that the ministry would remove illegal fills, reopen blocked waterways, and prosecute environmental offenders.
“Enough is enough. We must act decisively to protect the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities,” Wahab declared.
Experts warned that without urgent, coordinated action, Lagos risks irreversible environmental and humanitarian crises.
They urged the state to restore mangroves, invest in eco-based flood control, enforce EIA laws, and prioritise sustainable coastal planning.
Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited – a consortium of five energy companies – has announced it is seeking partners to help grow its portfolio and drive oil and gas development in Nigeria.
The announcement was made by Tony Attah, Managing Director and CEO of Renaissance Africa Energy, during a briefing at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025.
Tony Attah, Managing Director and CEO of Renaissance Africa Energy
“We are born in Nigeria and made for Africa,” Attah stated, adding, “We strive to be Africa’s leading energy company, enabling energy security and industrialisation in a sustainable manner.”
During the presentation, Attah highlighted a strong portfolio of investment opportunities for companies to partner with Renaissance Africa Energy in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. He noted that extensive infrastructure supports the company’s portfolio of 18 blocks – 15 onshore and 3 offshore – 46 producing fields, 643 active conduits, 29 flow stations and five gas plants.
Meanwhile, Attah also announced Renaissance Africa Energy’s growth ambitions to support its ambitions to become a pan-African oil and gas company. The company has set a target to increase liquid production to 500,000 barrels per day by 2030 and 1 billion cubic feet per day of domestic gas supply.
In March 2025, Renaissance Africa Energy – a consortium comprising ND Western, Aradel Holdings, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company, Waltersmith Group and Petrolin Group – completed a $1.3 billion acquisition of energy major Shell’s offshore subsidiary the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria.
The company stated that its vision is to be Africa’s leading energy company, enabling energy security and industrialisation across the continent in a sustainable way.
African Development Bank Group President, Sidi Ould Tah, and Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, have signed a $144.7 million financing agreement to improve energy access and private sector competitiveness.
The agreement, signed at the institution’s headquarters in Abidjan, provides budgetary support from the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional financing window. It enables the Nigerien government to implement Phase 1 of the transformative Energy Sector Governance and Competitiveness Support Programme (PAGSEC).
Ali Lamine Mahamane Zeine, Prime Minister of Niger (left), and Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group, present the documents corresponding to the $144.7 million financing agreement aimed at developing Niger’s energy sector and improving the competitiveness of its private sector
“It is with great pleasure that we have just formalised this agreement, which is very important for Niger,” said the Prime Minister. “The agreement is part of our strong cooperation with the African Development Bank Group.”
The support from the African Development Fund will increase national electricity access from 22.5% to 30% by 2026, while boosting the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP from 2.5% to 3.8%. A key component of the project focuses on developing renewable energy capacity, with plans for 240 MW of solar power by 2030, including 50 MW by December 2026.
Prime Minister Zeine, who is also Niger’s Minister of Economy and Finance and serves as Governor of the Bank Group for his country, added: “Our Bank’s support came at an important time, and the process has now led to the establishment of this programme, which aims to support Niger’s economic competitiveness and resilience to multiple shocks through, improved access to energy, promotion of the private sector, consolidation of the fiscal framework, and better consideration of vulnerable groups within public policies.”
Beyond the energy sector, the programme will strengthen public financial management systems while enhancing tax revenue mobilisation and control systems. It will further support the clearance of domestic arrears, enhance public-private partnerships dialogue, and promote the adoption of an industrial and trade policy to bolster Niger’s private sector.
“I can assure you that the African Development Bank Group will remain, as it has always been, a strong supporter of all our regional member states in their pursuit of harmonious development and shared prosperity,” said Dr Ould Tah. “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Bank’s teams for their hard work and also to thank the Board of Directors for its support for our efforts.”
Social inclusion
This high-impact programme prioritises social inclusion, and specialised support for internally displaced persons, women, and young persons. With more than 507,000 internally displaced people due to security challenges in the Sahel region, PAGSEC has outlined a social and economic inclusion programme to cushion vulnerable communities.
It will also establish high-level coordination mechanisms and update national energy policies to create a favourable environment for private-sector participation in mini-grid developments crucial for rural electrification.
With this programme, Niger is set to capitalise on its vast renewable energy potential while building governance systems that support inclusive and sustainable development.
The African Development Bank Group has said that it will continue to support Niger’s transformation through strategic investments that promote economic competitiveness, energy security and good governance.
Africa’s oil and gas sector could be on the brink of a new exploration renaissance, driven by advances in seismic imaging, frontier data sets and faster permitting, industry leaders said at Africa Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 in Cape Town on Wednesday, October 1.
According to Emmanuelle Garinet, VP of Exploration Africa at TotalEnergies, Africa’s frontier basins hold significant volumes. She pointed to Namibia as an example of how seismic and subsurface data can de-risk projects.
Participants at the panel discussion session during the Africa Energy Week (AEW)
“When we decided to drill the Venus well, it was frontier, but we had a probability of success of more than 50% because of the seismic data and direct hydrocarbon indicators,” she stated.
In the Republic of Congo, TotalEnergies’ exploration permitting process is moving at a markedly faster pace. “We got our permit in less than six months and are preparing for drilling by the end of the year,” Garinet said.
By contrast, South Africa’s permitting system has faced delays due to legal challenges, a problem she described as “unacceptable” given limited budgets for global exploration.
Chevron’s CEO, Gavin Lewis, emphasised the critical role of comprehensive subsurface datasets in Africa.
“Before you can do any AI-driven workflows, you need a dataset that illuminates what the subsurface looks like,” he said. “What Africa has lost is the ability to sponsor multi-client subsurface datasets. The only basin that allows for large, regional high-quality datasets is the Gulf of America, which has allowed that basin to reinvent itself multiple times.”
VP of Exploration for bp, Bryan Ritchie, highlighted survey work in Egypt’s Nile Delta, where the company completed the first deepwater ocean-bottom node seismic survey over the Atoll field and noted that the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company plans to expand multi-client data coverage across a larger area of the delta.
“We’re seeing new opportunities for these images,” he said.
Beyond exploration, Woodside Energy’s VP of Exploration, Terry Gebhardt, said geoscience and subsurface data are also key to carbon capture and storage projects, as well as “maximising efficacy and recovery” in existing fields.
The panel discussion, sponsored by EnerGeo Alliance, also underlined the broader scale of investment in Africa’s oil and gas sector.
Nikki Martin, President and CEO of EnerGeo Alliance, said African oil and gas capital expenditure is expected to rise to $54 billion by 2030, following a $6 billion surge in exploration spending in 2024.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, to “urgently disclose the spending details of the estimated N14 trillion fuel subsidy savings they collected from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations, including details and locations of projects executed with the money, and the implementation status and completion reports, if any, on the projects.”
In a statement endorsed by Kolawole Oluwadare, the SERAP Deputy Director, and made available to EnviroNews on Sunday, October 5, 2025, SERAP urged Wike and the governors to “provide details of the plans on how subsequent fuel subsidy savings they expect to collect from FAAC allocations, including details of any planned projects on which the money would be spent.”
The fuel subsidy in Nigeria has been a contentious issue, with its removal in May 2023 leading to significant economic changes and public debate
SERAP also urged them to “publicly invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to track and monitor the spending of the fuel subsidy savings collected by you, to ensure that the money is not diverted into private pockets.”
The 36 governors and the FCT minister have reportedly collected trillions of naira from FAAC allocations as fuel subsidy savings since mid-2023. But the increased allocations have reportedly not translated into improved access to basic public services, such as quality healthcare and education for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
In the Freedom of Information requests dated October 4, 2025, and signed by Oluwadare, the organisation said: “There is a legitimate public interest for governors and the FCT minister to urgently explain how they have spent the money they have so far collected from the subsidy savings.”
SERAP added, “The savings from the removal of fuel subsidy ought to be spent solely for the benefit of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of the removal. Transparency in the spending of the money would help to avoid a morally repugnant result of double jeopardy on these Nigerians.”
The FoI requests read in part: “There is a significant risk of mismanagement or diversion of funds linked to the increased FAAC allocations collected by the states and FCT.
“The spending details of the money collected by several states and the FCT from fuel subsidy savings have been mostly shrouded in secrecy.
“Millions of poor and vulnerable Nigerians have not benefited from the trillions of naira collected by the governors and FCT minister from as a result of the subsidy savings. Nigerians continue to face a worsening poverty crisis.
“Several states including your state are also reportedly spending public funds which may include fuel subsidy savings to fund unnecessary travels, buy exotic and bulletproof cars and generally fund the lavish lifestyles of politicians.
“There are continuing reports of widespread poverty, underdevelopment and lack of access to public goods and services in several states.
“Opacity in the spending of fuel subsidy savings collected by you would continue to have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens and the public interest. Transparency would ensure that public funds are not diverted into private pockets.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your state and the FCT to comply with our request in the public interest.
“Disclosing the details of the spending of the money collected by your state as fuel savings would allow Nigerians to scrutinise them, and to hold you to account on the spending of public funds.
“The states and FCT may have failed to transparently and accountably manage the allocations collected from the subsidy savings.
“Nigerians have the right to know how their states and FCT are spending the savings from the removal of fuel subsidy as part of their human right to information.
“Combating the corruption epidemic in the spending of the money collected would alleviate poverty, improve access of Nigerians to basic public services, and enhance the ability of your states to effectively and efficiently discharge their responsibilities.
“According to our information, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) in 2024 distributed N28.78 trillion from the removal of subsidy on petrol to the three tiers of government, representing a 79 per cent increase from the previous year.
“State governments’ allocations increased by 45.5 per cent to N5.22 trillion. Monthly distributions in 2025 have reportedly exceeded N1.6 trillion.
“However, despite the increased allocations of public funds to your state and the FCT, millions of poor and socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians have not benefited from the savings.
“Many states reportedly owe civil servants’ salaries and pensions. Several states continue to borrow to pay salaries. Millions of Nigerians resident in your state and the FCT continue to be denied access to basic public services.
“Several years of allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the spending of public funds by several states and entrenched impunity of perpetrators have undermined public trust and confidence in governments at all levels.
“Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. Section 16(2) of the Nigerian Constitution further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.
“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on public institutions including your state to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.
“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources. Articles 5 and 9 of the Convention also impose legal obligations on your state and the FCT to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds.
“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their government’s activities.
“The constitutional principle of democracy also provides a foundation for Nigerians’ right to know the spending details of the money collected from the savings from the removal of fuel subsidy.
“Citizens’ right to know promotes openness, transparency, and accountability that is in turn crucial for the country’s democratic order.
“The effective operation of representative democracy depends on the people being able to scrutinize, discuss and contribute to government decision making, including on the spending of money collected by your state and FCT from the subsidy savings.
“To do this, they need information to enable them to participate more effectively in the management of public funds by their state government.
“The oversight afforded by public access to such details would serve as an important check on the activities of your state and help to prevent abuses of the public trust.
“The Supreme Court in a groundbreaking judgment declared that the Freedom of Information Act ‘is applicable and applies to the public records in the Federation’, including those relating to the spending of the subsidy savings kept by your state.
“With the landmark judgment, the Supreme Court has made clear that state governors can no longer hide under their unfounded claim that the Freedom of Information Act does not apply to them.
“As the Supreme Court has eloquently stated, any freedom of information laws by states is subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
“Any failure to account for the spending of money collected by your state from the subsidy savings will amount to a blatant disregard of the Supreme Court judgment which has effectively ended the claims by governors that the Freedom of Information Act does not apply to how they spend public funds including the subsidy savings.
“The judgment sends a powerful message that state governors can no longer escape accountability for how they spend public funds.
“SERAP urges you to promptly uphold the Supreme Court judgment by urgently accounting for how your state is spending the money it collected from the subsidy savings. The Supreme Court has pointed the way for state governors to show accountability and commitment to transparency in the spending of public funds.
“Similarly, your state has clear legal obligations to provide the information sought as prescribed by provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and. Enforcement) Act.”
The Lagos State Government says it is ready to collaborate with the Banana Island Property Owners and Residents Association (BIPORAL) to improve the functionality of the estate.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, stated this when members of BIPORAL paid him a courtesy visit on Friday, October 3, 2025.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, with members of BIPORAL in his office
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr. Mukaila Sanusi, Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, on Saturday, October 4, in Lagos.
Olumide said that it was necessary to review the layout of Banana Island to make it more efficient and sustainable.
He commended the association for reaching out to the government and identified areas for collaboration, including infrastructure, accessibility, building approval processes and the control of illegal extensions.
Speaking on accessibility, the commissioner noted that having only one entry and exit route posed a serious challenge that must be addressed urgently to improve safety and ease of movement.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Mr. Oluwole Sotire, described the planned collaboration as a welcome development that would help to restore the original vision of the estate and serve as a model for other communities.
Earlier, BIPORAL Chairman, Mr. Abidemi Sonoiki, appealed for government’s support to sanitise and enhance the estate.
He assured that the residents were ready to cooperate fully with the state government.
Polaris Bank, in partnership with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), has extended its nationwide tree planting campaign to three key locations.
A statement on Friday, October 3, 2025, by the bank’s media unit said the locations are Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos State, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun and Sardauna College, Kaduna State.
The Polaris Bank and NCF tree planting campaign at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos
The initiative, is part of Polaris Bank’s commitment to combating climate change, reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable environmental practices across Nigeria.
The Lagos edition, which held at the Lekki Conservation Centre, was attended by Polaris Bank’s Executive Directors, Chris Ofikulu and Sharafadeen Muhammad, alongside partners from NCF.
Speaking at the event, Chris Ofikulu, Executive Director, Commercial and Retail, expressed his appreciation to all participants at the tree-planting exercise.
He said the initiative highlighted the importance Polaris Bank attached to environmental sustainability, while recalling leading the bank’s first tree planting activity after its launch in 2024.
He added that the exercise aligned with the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, a global movement dedicated to securing a greener future for generations to come.
He explained that Polaris Bank saw sustainability not merely as a responsibility but as a business imperative.
According to him, through this initiative, Polaris Bank reaffirms its role beyond banking services and remains firmly in line with the collective goal of planting 10,000 trees.
Also speaking at the event, Sharafadeen Muhammad, Executive Director, Operations, said protecting the environment and the planet was a shared responsibility for the benefit of all.
He described the initiative as a commendable effort and encouraged the establishment of reserves that conserve nature while creating economic value.
He further reaffirmed Polaris Bank’s commitment to supporting the tree-planting initiative.
In Ogun State, the Divisional Head, Polaris Bank, Ogun/Oyo, Yetunde Okeleye, said that the tree-planting initiative reflected the Bank’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.
“By planting economic trees across the country, including Ogun State, we are demonstrating that sustainability is not just a responsibility but part of our ethos as a bank.
“Our partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, underscores our resolve to restore degraded land, prevent soil erosion, and combat climate change.
“Through this initiative, Polaris Bank reaffirms its role as a driver of environmental stewardship and community well-being, while contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come,” Okeleye said.
In Kaduna State, Mr. Kabir Lawal, Acting Group Head, Polaris Bank, North West, alongside the Bank’s staff from Kaduna business locations, reiterated that sustainability was not just a catchphrase but the Bank’s culture, a journey pursued with conviction.
Lawal said the Bank’s decisions were guided by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Principles, ensuring that it addressed environmental issues, while empowering communities and driving inclusive growth.
He further said that the exercise at Sardauna Memorial College, in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, was a testament to this commitment.
“Beyond reducing carbon footprints, our tree-planting initiative restores degraded areas, prevents soil erosion, improves environmental health and raises awareness on the importance of preservation,” Lawal added.
The NCF commended Polaris Bank’s leadership, stressing that the selected trees comprising fruit bearing and shade providing species would serve multiple benefits, including erosion control, wind breaking, shade provision and food security.
Community representatives from FUNAAB and Sardauna College in Kaduna expressed gratitude to Polaris Bank and the NCF for spearheading the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful in addressing the global climate challenge.
A 2025 EAT-Lancet study says less than one per cent of the world’s population lives in a “safe and just space” where food needs, human rights and environmental limits are met.
The report, released by The Lancet Group, on Friday, October 3, warned that global food systems are exceeding planetary boundaries and generating about 30 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.
Johan Rockström, Co-Chair of the Commission and Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
It said food systems are driving the breakdown of five critical Earth processes: climate stability, biodiversity, land use, nutrient balance, and the release of harmful substances.
These include pesticides, antimicrobials, and microplastics.
The study found that the wealthiest 30 per cent of the global population account for more than 70 per cent of food-related environmental impacts, highlighting stark inequities.
It added that shifting diets toward healthier and more sustainable options, such as the Planetary Health Diet, could prevent up to 15 million premature deaths each year and reduce environmental damage.
Currently, global diets lack adequate fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, while meat, dairy, sugar, and highly processed foods are consumed in excess.
Mr. Johan Rockström, Co-Chair of the Commission and Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said the report provides clear guidance on how to feed a growing population without breaching Earth’s ecological limits.
“Transforming food systems is essential to save millions of lives, cut emissions, halt biodiversity loss, and build a fairer food system,” Rockström said.
Ms. Shakuntala Thilsted, Co-Chair of the Commission and Director for Nutrition, Health and Food Security at CGIAR, added that workers in the food system must also be protected.
“Too many workers are underpaid and excluded from basic protections. Transformation must guarantee the right to food, fair work, and a healthy environment for all,” she said.
The report recommended eight priority actions, including promoting traditional diets, making healthy foods affordable, adopting sustainable farming, halting ecosystem destruction, reducing food waste, and ensuring fair labour conditions.
It estimated that the benefits of reform could reach five trillion dollars annually through improved health, restored ecosystems, and greater climate resilience, far outweighing the 200 to 500 billion dollars needed to transform food systems.
The Commission urged governments, businesses, and citizens to urgently realign food production, consumption, and financing to support human well-being and planetary health.
It warned that without immediate action, the world risks missing climate targets, worsening malnutrition, and widening inequities, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Street food is a daily reality in Nigeria, from suya (smoke-grilled spiced meat) to puff-puff (spongy, deep-fried snack), akara (deep-fried bean cake) to roasted corn, boli (roasted plantain) and moin moin (steamed bean pudding).
For millions of Nigerians, buying from street vendors is cheap, convenient, and deeply cultural. The informal street-food sector in Nigeria has grown into a major source of nutrition and income, especially in low- and middle-income communities.
Some street food in Nigeria
Yet behind the smoky aroma lies a hidden climate cost: deforestation from charcoal production, black carbon emissions, and a mounting plastic waste crisis.
Today, 60% of food vendors operate in unhygienic conditions, and over half (53.6%) don’t even cover their hair while cooking, which is a sign of deeper systemic weak regulation.
In places like Dape, Abuja, weak waste management systems make the problem much worse.
The Climate Cost of Charcoal
According to Global Forest Watch, Nigeria lost about 253,000 hectares of natural forest in 2024 alone, equivalent to 114 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Tree cover loss from charcoal production and other pressures has made Nigeria one of the world’s top deforestation hot spots. To put that in perspective, that’s an area almost four times the size of Lagos city disappearing in just one year.
For many street food vendors, however, charcoal remains the fuel of choice because it is cheap and fast.
Rachel Fidelis, a climate expert and founder of EcoCulture 360, explained: “For every bag of charcoal made, a tree must be cut down. Cooking with firewood contributes to deforestation, and the smoke emissions add to air pollution. The packaging vendors use only adds to plastic pollution and all of these feed into the bigger climate crisis.”
In Dape, a street food vendor confirmed the reliance on charcoal: “A bag costs ₦11,000, and we use about 12 bags in a week. Gas is more expensive and using hot plate will make electricity bills outrageous, so we just stick with charcoal.”
That means a single food business spends over ₦132,000 weekly on charcoal – burning through dozens of trees every month just to keep stoves running.
Beyond the loss of forests, experts warn that the black carbon released from charcoal stoves also poses serious health risks, especially for women and children exposed to the smoke daily.
Consumers Love the Taste – But Ignore the Cost
Consumers admit their choices are driven mainly by price and taste. Speaking with Israel Olawale, a regular street food buyer, he said: “I buy street food almost every day – it’s easier to get and way cheaper. And to be candid, food cooked with charcoal taste delicious compared to gas; charcoal gives the food a special kind of taste, especially when it’s beans and softly cooked. No denial.”
Even when aware of waste issues, convenience still takes priority. Olawale said: “I prefer plastic takeaway to pack my food because it’s reusable and convenient. Most times after heavy rainfall, you see nylons everywhere. I discard mine properly because I know the climate implications, but not everyone does.”
This highlights a wider gap between awareness and behavior. People notice waste piling up in their communities, yet still choose the cheaper, more convenient options. According to the World Bank, Nigeria generates about 1.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, but barely 10 percent is recycled.
Packaging and Nigeria Waste Crisis
Street food packaging adds another layer to the problem. Styrofoam, nylon bags, and single-use plastics are the default. Vendors argue they meet customer demand: “Not everyone brings a cooler to buy food, so we use nylon, styrofoam, and plastics depending on what you buy.”
But convenience has consequences. Plastic accounts for over 13% of Nigeria’s municipal solid waste and, according to the World Bank, only about 10% is recycled. In places like Dape, where waste collection is irregular, the result is visible: piles of uncollected wastes line roadsides, clogging gutters and worsening flood risks.
The Dape vendor confirmed this reality: “It takes a very long time before waste is packed here. The waste on that road keeps piling, and it’s scary now that dry season is near.”
A Culture In Need of Change
Street food is here to stay. As Rachel puts it: “Street food has become a beloved part of our culture, but plastic waste cannot be. We must embrace sustainability as part of our culture instead.”
Solutions exist – solar stoves, biodegradable packaging, and even returning to traditional wrappers like banana leaves, but adoption remains slow. Vendors insist they would switch if alternatives were affordable: “If cheaper and cleaner fuels or packaging were provided, of course we would switch. Cooking is not easy and the gain is not enough,” said the street food vendor.
Policy and the Road Ahead
Nigeria has environmental policies on paper, including Lagos State’s ban on single-use plastics. But enforcement is weak.
Rachel warns: “Government has the highest influence in driving sustainable change. Beyond bans, policies should make it easier for vendors to adopt alternatives, with incentives, funding, and awareness campaigns.”
If nothing changes, the future looks grim. Floods, food insecurity, and heatwaves are already a reality. The next decade, Rachel insists, “must be about urgent action, not waiting for the worst to happen.”
Street food is not just about hunger and taste; it is also about health, environment, and survival. In Dape, the story of smoky beans cooked on charcoal and meals packed in styrofoam is also the story of disappearing forests, polluted air, and waste-filled gutters.
If Nigeria is serious about addressing climate change and urban waste, then the country must start where life happens daily – on the streets, where millions buy and sell their meals.
Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are essential for both human health and well-being and ecological balance. These plants form the foundation of many traditional healthcare systems, contribute to modern medicine and support diverse industries ranging from cosmetics and food to agriculture and luxury goods.
Across the globe, approximately 50,000-70,000 MAP species are harvested for their healing properties, cultural significance and economic value. Of these, almost 1,300 are estimated to be listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), including over 800 in Appendix II.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 70-95 per cent of human populations in developing countries rely on traditional medicine for primary healthcare. MAP cultivation and harvesting practices secure vital resources for many households worldwide, with one in five people relying on wild plants, algae and fungi for food and income.
Yet, despite their importance, many MAP species face growing threats from habitat loss, overharvesting and illegal trade. Scientific data on MAPs is often limited, and Indigenous and local knowledge is underutilized in policy and conservation effort. Furthermore, over 20 per cent of MAP species used globally are considered threatened with extinction on the IUCN Red List, making their conservation a global priority. Raising awareness, strengthening regulations and ensuring the sustainability of harvesting and trade are essential for these invaluable plant resources to survive in the wild.
In 2026, World Wildlife Day (WWD2026) will shine a spotlight on the critical role of MAPs under the theme: “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.”
Organised in collaboration with partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Fund for Animal Welfare (ifaw), Jackson Wild and others, the WWD2026 activities will aim to:
Encourage research, innovation and partnerships – Foster collaboration among stakeholders to promote sustainable use of MAPs and share lessons learned from successful conservation models.
Celebrate conservation efforts – Highlight sustainable management initiatives through creative expressions such as youth artwork, photography and film.
Strengthen knowledge and awareness – Share insights on MAPs, highlight their vital role in our daily lives as well as their conservation challenges and the CITES provisions governing international trade.
Leading up to the high-level United Nations event for WWD2026 on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, online activities will include the annual Jackson Wild Film Showcase and ifaw Youth Art Contest.
In line with the UN General Assembly Resolution proclaiming World Wildlife Day, the CITES Secretariat calls on all member States and organisations of the United Nations system and other global, regional and sub-regional organisations, non-governmental organisations and all interested individuals, to:
observe and raise awareness of the theme for World Wildlife Day 2026;
organise local World Wildlife Day celebrations on the theme of “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods”;
involve Indigenous Peoples, local communities and youth with experience and knowledge in wildlife conservation and trade in World Wildlife Day 2026 events and celebrations;
make use of the World Wildlife Day logos and 2026 outreach material (coming soon) as widely as possible.
