Environmental experts have warned that several coastal communities in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region are facing an existential threat if urgent action is not taken to enforce environmental protection laws, saying these communities could disappear by 2050.

The dire prediction was made during a workshop on conflict in coastal communities, organised by the Academic Associates PeaceWorks (AAPW) in Port Harcourt, with funding from the European Union’s C7 project.

Speaking at the Workshop, the Executive Director of AAPW, Dr. Judith Burdin Asuni, emphasised the devastating impact of climate change on the Niger Delta, stressing that rising sea levels and frequent flooding have not only displaced residents but also intensified competition over dwindling resources, fueling communal conflicts.

The workshop highlighted the alarming effects of climate change, including surging tides and rising seas that have led to the displacement of many host communities, triggering recurrent land disputes and increased communal tensions.

The Deputy Director, AAPW, Nkoyo Toyo, emphasised the urgent need for the enforcement of environmental laws to address land encroachment, the loss of aquatic biodiversity, and climate-induced migration.

Toyo said: “The coastal region, spanning hundreds of kilometres, is a fragile ecosystem under threat from multiple angles, with climate change being among the most critical.

“Environmental degradation is directly linked to the unregulated practices of oil companies operating in the region. Nigeria’s failure to regulate emissions and enforce environmental standards has worsened the crisis.” She cited the black soot pollution in Port Harcourt as a visible consequence.

Toyo warned that environmental degradation is contributing to migration and scarcity of resources, both of which heighten the risk of violent conflict. She also called for a holistic approach to environmental enforcement, involving community leaders, policymakers, and security agencies.