Niran Odufayo
In the heart of Ago-Egun, a coastal fishing community tucked within the Ilaje area of Bariga, Lagos, a quiet revolution is underway—one driven by women, grassroots advocacy, and a call for environmental justice.
The community, predominantly inhabited by Egun-speaking, fishermen, has long struggled with the harsh realities of environmental degradation: makeshift wooden homes line the waterfront, standing precariously amid stagnant floodwaters, inadequate sanitation, and poor drainage infrastructure. Seasonal ocean surges and unrelenting floods routinely disrupt daily life, destroy livelihoods, and threaten the health and future of residents especially women and children.
Over the weekend, a beacon of change arrived as Aiding Lives Initiative for the Vulnerable (ALIVE), a Lagos-based nonprofit, mobilized a community-led cleanup campaign. The exercise is part of a broader documentation and advocacy project aimed at amplifying the voices of women affected by climate change in Lagos’ coastal communities.
Pandora Umechukwu, Executive Director of ALIVE, said the group’s work in Ago-Egun dates back to 2017 and includes maternal and child health outreach, hygiene awareness programs, and recreational activities for children. But it was a 2023 flood that exposed the scale of the environmental crisis and inspired a deeper response.
“We came for a breastfeeding support program and couldn’t access the venue because the entire area was underwater,” she recalled. “Women came wearing rain boots; others waded through the flood barefoot. That moment revealed just how deeply ocean surge and poor environmental planning are hurting these communities.”
In response, ALIVE began documenting the lived experiences of women through focus group discussions and direct interviews. Many spoke of losing their small businesses to flooding, of children missing school due to illness, and of enduring preventable health challenges stemming from polluted water and uncollected waste. Even the traditional fish-smoking practices, central to their livelihood, contribute to air pollution, adding another layer to the ecological crisis.
The cleanup focused on clearing blocked drainages and was driven entirely by volunteer women in the community. “No incentives were offered,” said Umechukwu. “These women came out en masse because they believe in what we’re doing. Some have even proposed starting regular cleanups—monthly or bi-monthly—to keep the momentum going.”
ALIVE is calling on the Lagos State Government to ensure that its Climate Action Plan addresses the specific needs of coastal women and other vulnerable groups. The group is advocating for a more inclusive approach to climate resilience—one that supports community-led solutions and fosters long-term sustainability.
Residents have echoed this plea. Miss Bademosi Omowunmi, a longtime community member, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “The drainage system is terrible, and stagnant water is everywhere,” she said. “This cleanup is important—it’s helping the water flow, which will reduce mosquitoes and hopefully prevent malaria outbreaks. But we need more than just a temporary fix.”
Another resident, Mr. Ateji Motunrayo, stressed the role of government support in maintaining progress. “We appreciate this effort. Cleanliness is life. But the truth is, we can’t do it all alone. We need real investment in infrastructure and sanitation.”
Their voices reinforce ALIVE’s message: true environmental justice goes beyond cleanup days. It involves recognizing the disproportionate burdens placed on women in climate-vulnerable communities and empowering them to be part of the solution—from the grassroots to government policymaking tables.
As Lagos faces rising climate challenges, Ago-Egun stands as a reminder that sustainability must begin where the crisis is felt most—on the margins.