Akodo Ise, a coastal community in the eastern part of Lagos State, Nigeria, is highly vulnerable to the impacts of rising sea levels, ocean surges, and storm-induced flooding.
Located near key landmarks such as the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lekki Deep Sea Port, and Dangote Refinery, Akodo Ise is renowned for its peaceful environment and abundant fishing activities. However, climate change has inflicted severe damage on the community, jeopardizing its existence.
Lagos State, with its natural susceptibility to flooding due to its position along the Atlantic Ocean, faces intensified challenges from human-induced factors such as poor drainage, improper waste disposal, and wetland destruction. These issues, along with natural occurrences like coastal erosion, have exacerbated the flooding problem in communities like Akodo Ise.
The livelihoods of many residents, who depend on fishing, farming, and tourism, have been drastically affected, with fishing grounds, vessels, and farmland either damaged or destroyed. An abandoned community school now stands uninhabitable.
During a recent visit, the Baale (traditional leader) of Akodo Ise described the community’s struggles, detailing how recurrent flooding and erosion have ravaged his coconut farmland and forced him to relocate. The primary school, once a crucial part of the community, now sits abandoned at the ocean’s edge. Walking through the area, the extent of the destruction is evident: damaged infrastructure, ruined homes, and even burial grounds have been swept away by the encroaching sea.
The Baale of Akodo Ise stands amid the remnants of his home, which was once over 50 meters from the ocean. There is an urgent need for immediate action to mitigate the effects of climate change in such vulnerable communities. The government and other stakeholders must implement effective measures, including building resilient infrastructure and promoting local adaptation strategies.
A fisherman’s family in Akodo Ise recently experienced damage to their home and fishing vessel following an overnight ocean surge. While the Lagos State Government’s annual International Climate Change Summit provides a platform for discussion, concrete actions are necessary to safeguard vulnerable communities from the ongoing threat of rising sea levels.
