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Group seeks investment to accelerate Nigeria’s just transition agenda

Michael Simire
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Group seeks investment to accelerate Nigeria’s just transition agenda

In order to accelerate Nigeria’s just transition and economic development objectives, experts have called for more funding to help the country promote climate action.

NCCCS
Participants at the lobal South Peer Learning Workshop on Country Platforms for Climate Action and Just Energy Transition, organised by the National Counci on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS), in Abuja

According to them, this demand has become necessary due to the nation’s limited resources, which have hampered economic activity and climatic resilience.

Speaking on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Abuja at a function hosted by the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS), Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, bemoaned the country’s problems, which range from land degradation to mineral exploitation and insurgency.

Another important issue cited by the minister as requiring urgent attention is access to clean water for cooking in places affected by oil and gas activity, which he believes can be addressed through shared global wealth.

“We have been a high participant in the funding of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Nigeria is setting and integrating strategies to fast-track investment resources to correct decades of underinvestment,” he stated.

The minister described the workshop, which focused on Global South Peer Learning on Country Platforms for Climate Action and Just Energy Transition, as a positive step that reflected Nigeria’s global commitment to economic, social, and environmental goals.

He advocated for more similar meetings to allow Nigeria to learn from other countries about how they addressed some of the difficulties it is facing and ensured that the correct thing was done.

In his opinion, investing in regions where clean energy can be produced – particularly hydro – is more important than simply moving away from oil and gas.

Sen. Bagudu continued by mentioning drought and flooding as two more significant climate-related problems that need to be addressed because of their effects on socioeconomic advancement.

As a result, he urged for the adoption of modern techniques, which he connected to the availability of funding investment.

He informed participants that the president has made economic decisions that will steer Nigeria’s economy in the right path and boost growth in all areas of the economy.

“When we make the measures we have taken, we have to steer the economy in the right direction,” the nation’s minister of budget and economic planning asserts.

Commenting about the workshop’s goal, Dr. Olumide Abimbola, Executive Director of the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI), stated that the knowledge, relationships, and pledges made during the next two days of the programme will put Nigeria and its partners in the global south in a position to lead with ambition.

Furthermore, the APRI boss indicated that it will also improve clarity and audacity by sharing practical lessons on developing country platforms and development plans to face the global economic crisis.

In his view, insights from South Africa, Indonesia, Senegal, and Vietnam will directly inform Nigeria’s upcoming national development plan, assisting the ministry of budget and economic planning’s mandate and national stakeholders in coordinating a just, inclusive, climate-aware, and climate-sensitive development strategy.

“This is a moment to reflect honestly,” Dr. Abimbola said. “Have we at least delivered tangible results on the ground, or have they overpromised and under delivered?”

According to him, it is also time to imagine, to seize chances for African agency, ownership, and creativity, and to establish resilient investment platforms, leverage important mineral resources, and strengthen global South partnerships, rather than simply seeking pledges.

“We have been very intentional on what works, and how to build ownership and trust among domestic stakeholders, and to navigate the shifting global financing environment, given the current geopolitical climate,” he hinted.

As the world prepares for the Conference of Parties (COP30), which will be held in Belém, Brazil, later in November, he urged Nigeria to look ahead to more genuine Global South leadership, stronger public-private-civil society collaborations and partnerships, and a more honest, practical approach to securing climate resilience.

By Nsikak Emmanuel Ekere, Abuja

Congo Basin council celebrates certification of forest management

Michael Simire
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Congo Basin council celebrates certification of forest management

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Congo Basin office has disclosed that Exploitation Gabonaise de Grumes (EGG), a significant and long-standing player in Gabon’s forestry sector, has achieved FSC Forest Management (FM) certification.

Congo Basin
The Congo Basin

This significant milestone, attained on December 5, 2024, covers EGG’s 256,683 hectares of forest across its Forest Management Units (FMUs) EGG ROUGE and EGG VERT in the provinces of Ogooué Lolo and Haut Ogooué.EGG has demonstrated a long-term commitment to sustainability, operating in these Forest Management Units (FMUs).

Between 2014 and 2017, the company developed and secured approval for its sustainable forest management plans. This commitment solidified in 2022 when EGG dedicated itself to achieving FSC certification, diligently working to adapt its processes and approaches to meet the rigorous FSC standard requirements.

Their dedication to sustainable practices have apparently been formally recognised with FSC certification under license code FSC-C194914 and certificate code PBN-FM/COC-065131.

This achievement represents a substantial increase in the total area of FSC-certified forests in Gabon, rising from over 2.2 million hectares to over 2.4 million hectares, and elevates the total certified area within the Congo Basin to an impressive 6.2 million hectares.

FSC Congo Basin expresses its enthusiasm

“We warmly congratulate EGG on this significant achievement,” stated Patrick Epie, FSC Congo Basin and West Africa Sub Regional Coordinator. “Their consistent dedication to sustainable forest management over the years has rightfully culminated in this well-deserved FSC certification.”

EGG’s commitment clearly demonstrates that responsible forestry is not only viable in the Congo Basin but is also a crucial pathway for safeguarding the long-term health of our invaluable forests and fostering a sustainable economy. The certification provides substantial momentum to our ongoing efforts to promote responsible forest management across Gabon and the wider Congo Basin,” Boumi Hypp, Certification Manager at FSC Congo Basin, added,

“EGG’s journey towards FSC certification is a powerful testament to their proactive and responsible approach to forestry. Achieving certification for such a significant forest area demands considerable effort and a deep-seated commitment to the core principles of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability that FSC champions. We are confident that EGG’s certified operations will serve as a strong and positive example for other forestry companies in the region, encouraging the broader adoption of sustainable practices.

“EGG celebrates its FSC certification”Obtaining FSC Forest Management certification marks a proud and significant moment for EGG, representing the culmination of years of dedicated work and a deep-seated commitment to sustainable forest management,” said Adrien Spaymant, Deputy Director of Exploitation Gabonaise de Grumes (EGG).

“We firmly believe in the enduring value of our forests and are dedicated to managing them in a way that ensures both their ecological integrity and their vital contribution to the local economy. This prestigious certification provides our valued partners and customers with the definitive assurance that our timber is sourced responsibly, actively contributing to a more sustainable future for Gabon’s precious forest resources.”

This certification underscores EGG’s strong commitment to sustainable forestry practices and further reinforces the growing and crucial movement towards responsible forest management within the Congo Basin. The FSC Congo Basin office eagerly anticipates continued collaboration with EGG and other key stakeholders to further expand the area of certified forests throughout the region.

The International Tropical Timber Association (ATIBT), an organisation promoting the development of a sustainable, ethical and legal tropical timber industry as a natural and renewable resource essential to the socio-economic development of producer countries, congratulates EGG on obtaining its FSC forest management certification.

Benoît Jobbé-Duval, Managing Director of ATIBT: “ATIBT congratulates the teams at EGG and FSC on this new certification in Gabon. Our association, which promotes sustainable management by all means, can only applaud the efforts made to achieve this great result.”

TotalEnergies records revenue decline, loss in first quarter

Michael Simire
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TotalEnergies records revenue decline, loss in first quarter

TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc has recorded N221.61 billion in revenue for the first quarter of 2025.

TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies

This figure represents a year-on-year decline of 18 per cent when compared with the N269.84 billion posted in the first quarter of 2024.

The company disclosed this in its financial results, which were made available as a corporate disclosure to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

It also revealed a loss after tax of N120 million for the period, a 101 per cent decline from the N11.50 billion profit recorded in the same period last year.

Profit before tax also saw a significant drop of 93 per cent, from N16.841 billion in the first quarter of 2024 to N1.121 billion in the same period of 2025.

In spite of these declines, TotalEnergies reported growth in its shareholders’ fund, which increased from N59.088 billion in the first quarter of 2024 to N61.380 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, while its share capital remained stable at N169.761 million.

Nigeria reaffirms youth empowerment at UN forum

Michael Simire
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Nigeria reaffirms youth empowerment at UN forum

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable development at the 2025 United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum held in New York.

Youth agripreneurs
Youth agripreneurs during a visit to Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB),

Mrs Omolara Esan, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Ministry of Youth Development, made this known in a statement on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

Leading the Nigerian delegation, Mr Olubunmi Olusanya, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, addressed global youth leaders, policymakers, and development partners at the forum.

He emphasised the critical importance of inclusive youth participation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas such as education, employment, innovation, and climate action.

He highlighted Nigeria’s strategic initiatives, including the newly launched National Youth Development Strategy 2024–2028, digital skills programmes, green entrepreneurship schemes, and robust partnerships aimed at expanding opportunities for millions of young Nigerians.

“Nigeria’s youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the drivers of today’s innovation and resilience,” he said.

He reiterated the country’s unwavering commitment to creating an enabling environment that empowered young people to realise their full potential and contribute meaningfully to both national and global development.

As part of the commitment, the ministry convened a high-impact side event in collaboration with UN agencies and regional youth organisations, themed “Harnessing Youth Innovation for Climate Resilience and Green Jobs in Africa.”

Olusanya noted that the event showcased youth-led climate solutions and fostered dialogue between policymakers and young change-makers from across the continent.

“The forum continues to serve as a crucial platform for young people to influence the United Nations’ work and contribute meaningfully to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“Nigeria’s active participation at this year’s forum underscores its leadership role in promoting a sustainable, youth-inclusive future,” he said.

Swiss firm to launch 500-tonne-per-year plant to recycle waste plastics

Michael Simire
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0
Swiss firm to launch 500-tonne-per-year plant to recycle waste plastics
Every year, millions of tons of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and polyester waste end up in landfills or are incinerated, yet sustainable recycling solutions remain limited.
DePoly – a sustainable PET-to-raw-material recycling company – on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, announced the upcoming launch of a 500-tonne-per-year showcase plant in Monthey, Switzerland this summer, representing a critical step in the company’s journey from laboratory breakthrough to industrial-scale implementation.
The facility will demonstrate DePoly’s proprietary process that converts PET and polyester waste into virgin-quality raw materials without fossil fuels.
Discarded items – from polyester shirts to water bottles – are not wasted anymore but resources transformed back into the building blocks for new products.
DePoly’s technology has already demonstrated its commercial impact through collaborations with some of the world’s leading companies – not only in fashion, like Odlo, but also in cosmetics and the broader consumer goods industry, including innovators such as PTI.
Through these partnerships, DePoly is said to have validated the quality of its recycled monomers by transforming PET waste into new bottles, high-performance textile fibers, and cosmetic packaging.
“The upcoming showcase plant validates our roadmap to creating a truly circular plastics market. Following our pilot and showcase plant, our next goal is to scale our operations to industrial size with a first of a kind commercial plant based on our technology,” said Samantha Anderson, Co-founder & CEO of DePoly.
The company is planning to build a commercial plant in 2027 that will process significantly larger volumes of PET and polyester waste.
To further accelerate this expansion, DePoly has secured a total of $23 million in seed funding with MassMutual Ventures joining a second closing of its round. The expanded investor base positions DePoly as one of the biggest recycling technology companies in Europe, with more than $30 million raised across two rounds and grants.
MassMutual Ventures joins existing investors, including Founderful, ACE & Company, Angel Invest, Zürcher Kantonalbank, BASF Venture Capital, Beiersdorf Venture Capital, and Syensqo.
“DePoly’s proven technology is a game changer addressing a crucial industrial and societal challenge. This raise and the showcase plant opening are advancing DePoly’s position as a leader in plastics recycling,” said Alix Brunet, Europe Lead at MassMutual Ventures.
David Hanf, who joined DePoly in 2024 as CFO, adds: “We are convinced our technology is one of the fastest to scale and will allow us to compete with virgin pricing at scale, a key factor for success. We are happy to have expanded our investor base to the US with MassMutual Ventures as we want to build a global champion.”
By transforming discarded plastics into high-quality raw materials, DePoly reduces reliance on fossil resources, minimises waste, and paves the way for a circular materials industry.
Plastic pollution
Plastic pollution

UK partnership to boost investment in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector

Michael Simire
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0
UK partnership to boost investment in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector

Manufacturing Africa (MA) – one of the UK’s flagship economic development programmes for Africa – on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, signed a strategic partnership agreement with London-based investment firm TLG Capital to strengthen and improve the eligibility of Nigerian manufacturing companies to raise capital through TLG’s Africa Growth Impact Fund II (AGIF II).

In a significant milestone, TLG Capital also confirmed the first close of the TLG AGIF II fund, raising $75 million towards its $200 million target. The fund is anchored by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) and backed by a coalition of forward-looking investors: Swedfund, Norfund, and Bpifrance.

Through this partnership, the UK-funded Manufacturing Africa programme will fast track investment by supporting Africa Growth Impact Fund II with due diligence, corporate finance, ESG compliance, gender inclusion, supply chain and manufacturing operations support to eligible manufacturing companies targeted for investment by the fund. In a challenging economic climate, this collaboration is designed to support Nigerian manufacturers in accessing the capital they need to grow, create jobs and drive long term economic growth.

In view of this, the first Nigerian company enlisted for the UK Manufacturing Africa’s support to raise $7.5 million debt finance under this arrangement is Terra Aqua; an aluminium recycler based in Ogun State.

TLG Capital has expressed interest in investing this whole amount in the company subject to meeting environmental, social and governance (ESG) and other operational performance indicators that Manufacturing Africa will guide the company through.

This single deal has the potential to create 200 direct jobs and 752 indirect jobs utilising a recycling process that requires 95% less energy than producing primary aluminium.

Since 2020, Manufacturing Africa has supported 41 deals that are seeking to raise over $1 billion of foreign direct investment and create 38,000 direct jobs across Nigeria.  Across Africa as a whole, the programme has raised almost $2.4 billion and created 102,000 new jobs. With the financial close of 13 of these deals, the programme has directly facilitated the inflow of over $150 million of foreign direct investment into Nigeria.

Speaking on this latest partnership, the UK Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter, said: “A strong manufacturing sector is key to driving economic growth and industrialisation in Nigeria and across Africa. By supporting TLG Capital, we’re fostering greater capital flows into Nigeria, which in turn supports job creation, generates wealth and secures a prosperous future.

“TLG Capital is one of the key partners we are working with to improve foreign direct investments that support manufacturing in Nigeria, which will have a lasting positive impact on both our economies”

Manufacturing Africa programme Team Leader Thomas Pascoe said: “This landmark investment emphasises the scale of the development opportunity in manufacturing across Africa. Manufacturing Africa has already helped create 102,000 jobs through the $2.4bn of FDI we have supported, and we look forward to working closely with TLG Capital to support investments by the AGID II fund.”

Co-Founder of TLG Capital, Isha Doshi said: “Today, one in four SME loans in Africa is under stress, and yet, the entrepreneurial spirit is unshaken. AGIF II is about capital that understands context – financing that’s flexible, strategic, and backed by advisory horsepower from Manufacturing Africa. TLG AGIF II brings together both capital and capacity building.”

Wanted: Blueprint for Nigeria’s waste management crisis

Michael Simire
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Wanted: Blueprint for Nigeria’s waste management crisis


The fantasy that natural resources are inexhaustible and always renewable, despite the overwhelming amount of waste generated has been dispelled by the alarming decline of our environmental health.

Waste management crisis

The global waste crisis is staggering. Annually, it is on record that more than 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste are generated, yet a mere 9 percent of plastic waste is recycled worldwide, contributing to around 5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The world is struggling to cope with this escalating problem of waste management. In 2019, the Global Material Footprint reached a staggering 85.9 billion tonnes, representing a significant increase from 73.2 billion tonnes a decade earlier, according to the United Nations. Furthermore, the volume of electronic waste, including discarded smartphones, tablets, and other devices, surged by 38 percent in the same year, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable waste management solutions.

Similarly, Nigeria faces a daunting waste management challenge, with statistics painting a grim picture. Annual waste generation in the country stands at 32 million metric tons, with a 20-30 percent collection rate. Daily waste generation per capita is approximately 0.51kg, with total waste expected to reach 107 million tonnes by 2050.

The country also generates 1.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with a below 10 percent recycling rate. These statistics have ranked Nigeria among the world’s worst waste management offenders, with far-reaching environmental and health consequences, including greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and land degradation.

The theme of this year’s Global Recycling Day “Breaking Barriers: A Revolutionary Blueprint for the Waste Management Crisis”, is particularly poignant, as it serves as a timely reminder of the vital role recycling plays in combating climate change, preserving natural resources, and driving sustainable development.

It cautions us against embracing habits that undermine our collective well-being and jeopardize the prospects of future generations.

Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to update its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) as part of its obligation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) present an opportunity to prioritize renewable energy sources, including waste-to-energy technologies, as part of a Just Transition.

The country must adopt policies that promote sustainable practices and guarantee the protection of its ecosystems while fostering economic development and social equity.

The fate of our planet hangs precariously in the balance, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable practices and environmental protection.

This is why climate activists such as Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), believe that “addressing this challenge demands a concerted effort to promote recycling awareness, engage communities in sustainable initiatives, and develop innovative waste management solutions.”

Oluwafemi further emphasised the importance of governments and stakeholders collaborating to establish an enabling environment, supported by forward-thinking policies and a robust legal framework.

In addition, Ogunlade Olamide, Asssociate Director (Climate Change) at CAPPA, notes that transitioning to a circular economy necessitates a deliberate shift in individual behaviour.

“We must prioritize reducing, reusing, and recycling to achieve this goal,” he stressed.

Olamide recommended minimising the use of single-use plastics and opting for reusable alternatives, such as bags, containers, and water bottles. By embracing this approach, he maintained, “we can decrease greenhouse gas emissions, create new job opportunities, and drive sustainable economic growth.”

To build a sustainable future, we must dismantle the barriers posed by outdated infrastructure and adopt cutting-edge waste management solutions that prioritise environmental stewardship.

By Ogunlade Olamide and Esi-Ife Arogundade

Olamide is the Asssociate Director (Climate Change) at CAPPA while Arogundade is a climate change advocate at CAPPA.

Gas flaring from offshore operations costs Nigeria N118bn – NOSDRA

Michael Simire
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Gas flaring from offshore operations costs Nigeria N118bn – NOSDRA

The National Oil Spill Detection and Remediation Agency (NOSDRA) says gas flaring from offshore oil and gas operations led Nigeria to a loss of $78.2 million (about N118.864 billion) in January and February 2025, as oil and gas companies operating in the country flared 22.3 billion standard cubic feet (BSCF) of gas from their offshore activities within the two months.

Gas flaring
Gas flaring

NOSDRA calculated the loss using the Central Bank of Nigeria’s current exchange realities of N1,520 to a dollar.

The environmental watchdog for the oil and gas industry disclosed this in its gas flare report for January and February 2025, saying the amount lost from the offshore oil and gas operations in the first two months of the year represents 31.48 percent of the total amount lost to gas flaring within the period.

It noted in the report that the volume of gas flared from the offshore segment of the industry in January and February contributed 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emission to the atmosphere, had power generation potential of 2,200 Gigawatts hour while the companies that flared the gas were liable for penalties of $44.7 million (N67.944 billion).

In the same period in 2024, oil and gas firms operating offshore flared 29.2 BSCF of gas; valued at $102.3 million (N155.496 billion); with penalties payable of $58.4 (N88.768 billion); carbon dioxide emissions of 1.6 million tonnes and power generation potential of 2,900 GWh.

NOSDRA had earlier reported that, overall, Nigeria lost $248.4 million (about N377.568 billion) to gas flaring in the two months of the year, putting the volume of gas flared by the oil and gas company during the period at 71.0 BSCF.

It said the total 71.0 BSCF of gas flared by the oil and gas companies in the two months of 2025 contributed 3.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere; and had potential of generating 7,100 Gigawatts hour of electricity.

In addition, the defaulting companies were liable for penalties payment of $141.9 million, about N215.688 billion.

NOSDRA reported that the offending companies flared gas from Oil Mining Leases, OMLs, 04, 05, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 22, 28, 23, 24, 38, 40, 42, 43, 72, 49, 54, 90, 95, 67, 70, 104, 59, 99, 100, 101, 102 and Oil Prospecting Licences, OPLs, 222, 316 and 306, among others.

The agency listed the offending companies as Shell Petroleum, Development Company, SPDC; Nigerian Petroleum Development Company,  NPDC; Chevron Nigeria;  Mobil Oil; Elf Petroleum Nigeria; Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC; Addax Petroleum; Texaco Overseas (Nigeria); Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria; Allied Energy Resources; Ultramar Petroleum; Atlas Petroleum; Cromwell; Afric Oil and Marketing; Famfa Oil; Moni Pulo; and South Atlantic Petroleum, among others.

NLNG initiates new empowerment scheme for host communities

Michael Simire
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0
NLNG initiates new empowerment scheme for host communities

The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) has announced the launch of the Vocational, Innovation, Business, and Empowerment Scheme (VIBES) for its more than 110 host and pipeline communities in Rivers State.

Dr Philip Mshelbila
Managing Director, Nigeria LNG Ltd. (NLNG), Dr Philip Mshelbila

Dr Sophia Horsfall, General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, made the remark during the inauguration of the economic empowerment programme in Port Harcourt on Monday, April 28, 2025.

Horsfall, represented by Mr. Charles Epelle, Manager of Community Relations and Sustainable Development, stated that VIBES would replace the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES), which had been operational since 2004.

She explained that VIBES was established to foster entrepreneurial knowledge and networks essential for the development of entrepreneurs and change-makers within Rivers communities.

“NLNG believes that entrepreneurship is not merely about starting and running businesses but creating opportunities that drive economic growth and positive social change in our host communities.

“We are confident that VIBES will foster an environment in which individuals can establish businesses, generate employment, and emerge as innovators.

“This belief underpins our commitment to nurturing local capacity and enabling individuals to become creators of jobs, wealth, and lasting impact,” she said.

Horsfall noted that the previous scheme had trained over 1,400 youths across 10 different empowerment programmes over the past 21 years.

The programmes include automotive engineering, advanced welding, catering and hotel management, fashion design and cosmetology,  farm management, information and communication technology, as well as photography and video production.

She added that NLNG had assembled industry experts in entrepreneurship, business development, law, technology and innovation, and several other fields to continue the training and mentoring of selected business operators.

According to Horsfall, the model will ensure their continued survival, growth, and sustainability of the businesses.

“Beneficiaries will undergo professional, practical, and participatory training designed to build robust technical and managerial capacities.

“The top 50 participants will each receive a grant of 1,300 dollars (about N2.91 million), disbursed in two tranches.

“This funding is intended to assist in scaling up their businesses, supported by a broader system of mentorship, networking opportunities, and additional services,” she added.

The NLNG General Manager also stated that the company would provide comprehensive business training, covering financial management, marketing, strategic planning, legal practices, and other essential areas.

Horsfall, however, expressed regret that only about 300 of the 1,400 individuals trained under the discontinued YES scheme had established and were operating viable business to date.

By Desmond Ejibas

Climate change: Experts call for action against existential threat of coastal communities

Michael Simire
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0
Climate change: Experts call for action against existential threat of coastal communities

Environmental experts, under the aegis of the Academic Associates Peace Works (AAPW), have warned that several coastal communities in the Niger Delta region may disappear by 2050 if environmental protection laws are not enforced.

Lekki coastal erosion
Coastal erosion in Lagos

The Executive Director of the group, Dr Judith Asuni, made the remark during a workshop themed, “Conflicts in Coastal Communities,” in Port Harcourt, on Monday, April 28, 2025.

She said that the workshop was organised by the group and funded by the European Union through the C7 project.

She noted that climate change had a devastating impact on the Niger Delta.

Asuni said that the rising sea levels and frequent flooding had fueled communal conflicts, displaced residents, and intensified competition over dwindling resources.

“Displacement has triggered recurrent land disputes and increased communal tensions in this region,” she said.

Asuni urged government at all levels to take urgent action to enforce environmental protection laws and mitigate the impacts of climate change on coastal communities.

Also speaking, Mrs. Nkoyo Toyo, the Deputy Director, AAPW, emphasised the urgent need to enforce environmental laws to address land encroachment, loss of aquatic biodiversity, and climate-induced migration in the Niger Delta region.

Toyo noted that the coastal region, spanning hundreds of kilometers, was a fragile ecosystem under threat from multiple angles, with climate change being a critical factor.

She attributed environmental degradation to unregulated practices of oil companies and the failure to regulate emissions and enforce environmental standards.

By Precious Akutamadu

Toyo explained that environmental degradation contributed to migration and scarcity of resources, heightening the risk of violent conflict.

“When people are displaced and resources become scarce, tensions rise, making it impossible to address conflict without addressing environmental and climate issues,” she added.

Toyo called for a holistic approach to environmental enforcement, involving community leaders, policymakers, and security agencies.

She cited traditional conservation practices, such as seasonal bans on fishing, as examples of grassroots efforts that are being undermined by external actors.

She noted that leveraging on the potentials of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for infrastructure development could protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of sea level rise and flooding.

Also Mrs Nimi Elele, representing the Rivers State Ministry of Environment’s Climate Change Desk, warned that entire communities in the Niger Delta region could vanish unless urgent measures were taken to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Elele noted that sea-level rising during the rainy season led to severe flooding, damaging infrastructure and forcing people to migrate inland.

According to her, damage of infrastructure and inland migration increases social risks, including child molestation and sexual abuse.

“Fishing yields have dropped significantly, pushing many coastal dwellers into poverty and hunger.

‘’If urgent action like public awareness campaign to educate residents on the causes and consequences of climate change and implementation of policies are not taken, we are bound for extinction,” she said.

Participants from Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers who attended the workshop, called for government immediate action.

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