Ayetoro, a coastal community in Nigeria which was nicknamed “Happy City,” was founded decades ago as a Christian utopia. The community was meant to be a sinless and classless society, where everyone lived joyfully and happily. However, the community is now helpless against the Rising sea, which has already claimed a significant portion of its land. Buildings have sunk into the Atlantic Ocean, and residents are struggling to adapt to a future that seems increasingly uncertain.
The challenges facing Ayetoro are numerous. The community has lost over 10 square kilometres, or nearly 60% of its land, to the ocean in the past three decades. Thousands of residents have been forced to relocate multiple times, and many more are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their homes, businesses, and way of life. The community’s socio-cultural and religious identity is also under threat. Even burial grounds are being washed away.
Relevant authorities fail to address the issue.
Despite warnings from low-lying nations, Nigeria has failed to address the issue of rising seas, and Corruption and mismanagement have hindered efforts to protect the shoreline. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), a government body meant to address environmental issues caused by oil exploration, has failed to take action, with a shoreline protection project awarded two decades ago still listed as “ongoing” but never started. Residents are left to adapt to a watery future, with some turning to canoe repair as a means of survival.
Stephen Tunlese, a former shop owner, lost an Investment of eight million Naira (equivalent to $5,500) to the sea. He now repairs canoes to make a living, saying, “I will stay in Ayetoro because this is my father’s land, this is heritage land.” The community’s traditional leader and head of the local church, Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi, lamented the loss of land and the community’s socio-cultural and religious identity. The Nigerian government has announced commitments to finding “lasting solutions” to the threat to Ayetoro, but residents are skeptical.
Other coastal communities face the same challenges.
They have heard promises before, but nothing has been done. The community is still waiting for an environmental survey to be carried out to better understand what’s causing the community’s disappearance. But that’s been in vain. The World Bank estimates that the cost of coastal degradation in Nigeria is enormously costly, with a 2020 report estimating the cost at $9.7 billion, or more than 2% of the country’s GDP. The report looked at Erosion, flooding, mangrove loss, and Pollution, and noted the high rate of Urbanization. But despite the warnings, Nigeria has failed to take action.
This community’s story is not unique. Coastal communities along the West African coast are facing similar challenges, with rising seas threatening their very existence. But Ayetoro’s story highlights the need for urgent action to address the issue of rising seas. The community’s disappearance is not just a loss for Nigeria, but a loss for the world. The impact of the rising sea on Ayetoro’s residents is evident. Many have lost their homes and businesses, and are struggling to adapt to a new way of life. The community’s youth are particularly affected, with limited opportunities for Education and employment. The community’s traditional way of life is also under threat, with the loss of land and Culture.
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Very importantly, the Nigerian government must take immediate action to address the issue of rising seas in Ayetoro and other coastal communities. This includes investing in shoreline protection, supporting residents who have lost their homes and businesses, and addressing the root causes of coastal degradation. The international community must also support Nigeria’s efforts to address this global challenge. The community’s disappearance is not just a loss for Nigeria, but a loss for the world. Urgent action is needed to address this global challenge, and to protect the lives and livelihoods of millions of people living in coastal communities.
