Nature enthusiasts to host photo exhibition on urban wetlands in Lagos

As part of efforts to communicate concerns over National Theatre redevelopment, conservationists are hosting a photo exhibition in collaboration with the National Theatre Management, Lekki Bird Club and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, titled: Wetlands for Man and Biodiversity 2022.

The Wild Lens Collective, the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat and Maltina are also supporting the exhibition championed by Esther Nosazeogie. The organisers plan to display the beauty and value of urban wetlands and highlight threats they are facing in Lagos through the work of nature photographers from the Lekki Bird Club and beyond.

The curators’ ambitions are to inspire their audience with the beautiful biodiversity that the natural wetlands sustain, even in urban Lagos and learn why they are valuable for human flourishing and development. They hope to empower audiences with the knowledge of how these important ecosystems sustain the city.

Nosazeogie said: “The wetland found at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, is iconic for two reasons: its unique location and its value to the wider Nigerian society. Not only is the National Theatre (the wetland location) the hub of Nigerian art and culture, it is in such a prominent location in the city that it is visible to all who regularly transit between Lagos Mainland and Lagos Island.

“However, this theatre is to be remodeled. While this is good news, beginning in December 2021, the vegetation in the wetland area began to be destroyed, and by March 2022, all the mangrove trees were gone. Those of us who recognise the key role played by the vegetation in the wetland to the entire city of Lagos, are concerned by this development.”