As the world prepares for the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) in France, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has taken a proactive step in commemorating World Oceans Day 2025 by championing safety and sustainability in one of Nigeria’s most vulnerable coastal communities Ago Egun in Makoko, Lagos.
In partnership with the Lekan Bakare Foundation, LASWA marked the occasion on Wednesday, June 4 2025, with a community-focused outreach aimed at promoting safer waterways and responsible fishing practices.
Themed “Strengthening Community Compliance for Safer Waterways and Sustainable Fishing,” the event spotlighted the unique challenges faced by informal coastal dwellers and brought together key stakeholders to offer both policy-level insight and grassroots solutions.
Representatives from the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture participated in lectures and interactive sessions tailored to the daily realities of local fishermen and residents who rely on the fragile ecosystem of Lagos’ inland waterways.
In a gesture that resonated with the humanitarian tone of the day, life jackets were distributed to local fishermen to reduce the high risk of drowning incidents that have plagued communities like Ago Egun.
Many residents depend on canoes and small boats for their livelihoods, yet often do so without safety gear or formal knowledge of maritime safety protocols.
“World Oceans Day offers us a critical opportunity to align local actions with global ocean protection goals,” said a LASWA representative at the event.
“Our partnership with the Lekan Bakare Foundation is a reminder that the health of our oceans begins with the empowerment of communities that live closest to them.”
Held just days before world leaders, scientists, and climate advocates converge in France for UNOC 3 the event underscored the need to localise global sustainability targets.
According to marine experts present at the event, Lagos’ fragile marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them are on the frontline of climate and environmental risks, from flooding to overfishing and pollution.
The session encouraged community-led stewardship by educating participants on eco-conscious fishing methods, marine waste management, and compliance with waterway safety regulations.
Speakers also emphasized the role of collaborative governance between local authorities, NGOs, and residents in achieving long-term environmental protection.
For the residents of Ago Egun, often sidelined in policy conversations, the engagement brought rare attention to their daily struggles with unsafe transport, degraded water quality, and climate-induced threats to livelihood.
“This is not just about life jackets; it’s about dignity, survival, and our collective responsibility to protect the oceans and the people who depend on them,” said a representative from the Lekan Bakare Foundation.
The initiative is part of LASWA’s broader community engagement strategy to foster responsible waterway use and promote inclusive environmental justice in Lagos State.
By bridging the gap between policy and practice, the agency hopes to empower coastal dwellers as frontline guardians of Nigeria’s inland waters.
By Dare Akogun
