AAPeaceWorks successfully convened a two-day Learning and Sharing Workshop on Climate Change and Conflict in Coastal Communities from April 24–25, 2025. The workshop, funded by the European Union through the C7 project, brought together community leaders, climate experts, and policymakers to examine the growing intersection between environmental degradation and conflict in Nigeria’s coastal areas.
The event opened with remarks from Chief Dr. Judith Burdin Asuni, who emphasised the urgency of addressing the vulnerabilities of coastal communities. Technical sessions explored the impacts of deforestation, flooding, sea encroachment, and unregulated sand mining, highlighting how these factors fuel displacement, food insecurity, and resource-based conflicts.
Community stakeholders from five states shared lived experiences of climate-induced challenges, including erosion, loss of livelihoods, gender-based violence, and biodiversity decline. Sessions also revealed grassroots solutions such as community-led awareness, sustainable fishing, and self-funded protective infrastructure.
Panel discussions led by academics and environmental experts emphasised the need for policy reforms, integration of climate education into school curricula, and partnerships with international donors to support adaptation efforts. Participants also discussed revising the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to better reflect climate concerns and called for investment in marine tourism, aquaculture, and mangrove restoration to boost sustainable livelihoods.
Additional sessions featured maritime education’s role in resilience, a documentary screening on community struggles, and insights from conservation groups like the Nigerian Conservation Foundation. The workshop concluded with a call to establish a Coastal Communities Advocacy Network (COCAN) and to strengthen regional collaboration on climate adaptation.
With over 700 community representatives trained to date, AAPeaceWorks reaffirmed its commitment to building resilient, peaceful, and environmentally secure coastal communities through dialogue, education, and inclusive policy action.
