KEY POINTS

• Rising ocean waves are destroying homes, infrastructure and heritage sites in Ayetoro, Ondo State.
• Residents and stakeholders accuse successive governments of failing to implement effective coastal protection measures despite years of warnings.
• Community leaders warn that Ayetoro could disappear completely if urgent intervention is not carried out

The coastal community of Ayetoro in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State is facing a growing environmental crisis as persistent ocean surges continue to destroy homes, public infrastructure and historical landmarks.

Residents of Ayetoro fear the community could disappear entirely if urgent measures are not taken to halt the advancing Atlantic Ocean.

The renewed attention follows widespread concerns over the worsening impact of sea incursion on the historic settlement, which has increasingly become a symbol of the challenges facing Nigeria’s vulnerable coastal communities.

Speaking during activities marking World Environment Day, the Executive Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Biyi Poroye, appealed for partnerships and external support to address environmental challenges affecting Ayetoro and other coastal communities.

However, the appeal has drawn criticism from community stakeholders in Ayetoro who argue that government authorities have failed to take decisive action despite years of warnings about the threat posed by coastal erosion and rising sea levels.

Former resident and community advocate of Ayetoro, Olusegun Aiyerin, lamented the gradual destruction of a community once celebrated nationwide for its unique communal development model, self-reliance and economic achievements.

Historic Community Losing Homes and Heritage

Aiyerin recalled that Ayetoro was once a destination for educational excursions, attracting students and researchers from across Nigeria who came to study its communal lifestyle and development structure.

According to him, the ocean is now steadily erasing the community’s history and identity.

He said daily ocean attacks in Ayetoro continue to swallow houses, family graves, roads and other structures, leaving residents helpless as the coastline retreats further inland.

The stakeholder described the situation as more than an environmental disaster, arguing that it reflects a failure of leadership and political commitment to protect vulnerable communities.

Aiyerin questioned why authorities have not implemented coastal protection projects similar to those used in Lagos to prevent ocean encroachment along Bar Beach and other coastal areas.

He also raised concerns about the management of funds allocated to OSOPADEC, noting that the agency receives federal allocations and benefits from the 13 percent oil derivation fund.

According to him, the available resources should have been sufficient to execute long-term shoreline protection projects before the crisis escalated to its current level.

Residents in Ayetoro say the crisis threatens not only buildings and infrastructure but also their livelihoods, cultural heritage and ancestral roots.

Many families have already lost properties to the ocean, while others continue to live under the constant threat of displacement.

Stakeholders are now calling on both the Ondo State Government and the Federal Government to urgently implement sustainable shoreline protection measures to save the community from complete destruction.

Observers warn that continued delays could result in the permanent loss of one of Nigeria’s most historic coastal settlements.