From Lagos Shoreline Communities, Tales of Resilience
Against the backdrop of neglect, the Lagos Lagoon Climate Response initiative weaves together art, activism, and community engagement to highlight the struggles and resilience of its shoreline communities. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports
Along the languid shores of the Lagos lagoon, in the environs of Epe, modernity might just as well be a distant rumour. Communities here appear charmingly stuck in a distant past. Women reportedly still give birth using ancestral methods, cradled by mangroves and tradition. As for their children, they grow in a limbo of waiting—for flickering lights, for absent teachers, for futures dangled like mirages over brackish water.
Then, the fact that sanitation seems to be a luxury in these parts serves as a stark reminder of the lagoon’s decline. Once a sapphire artery of trade, this large body of water is now infested with waste and Pontederia crassipes, commonly known as common water hyacinth—a symbol of resilience twisted into a landfill. As this writer takes in this scene on Tuesday, February 25, Day Two of the three-day Lagos Lagoon Climate Response project, his gaze scans across distant shores from his perch on a wooden canoe.
Lost in his musings, he becomes less conscious of the presence of his eclectic companions—media practitioners, medical professionals, and artists—who temporarily fade into the background. The gentle lapping of the water against the wooden canoe creates a soothing melody that blends with their muted chatter. But his reverie is short-lived, as the jarring paradox unfolding before him slowly comes into focus.Right in the shadow of Lagos, Nigeria’s economic behemoth, lies a stark reality. Communities struggle to survive in a landscape devoid of fundamental necessities: healthcare, clean water, and education. The contrast is striking, and he can’t help but wonder how such disparities can exist side by side.
A cruel irony is the fact that the common water hyacinth, ordinarily a botanical beauty, has a destructive bent and has commandeered the lagoon, choking the life out of mobility and trade. In this landscape of neglect, where the once-thriving waterways are now clogged and stagnant, photographer Bolaji Alonge’s activism offers a beacon of hope. With the support of a grant from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he launched his latest project in July 2024, building on his collaboration with a healthcare programme that aims to improve the lives of communities affected by the lagoon’s degradation. Through his lens, Alonge sheds light on the intricate relationships between environment, health, and livelihoods, inspiring action and advocacy for the preservation of this vital ecosystem.
Therefore, it would be right to say that the seeds of this initiative were sown in 2018, when Dr. Tuyi Mebawondu, a Lagos-based medical practitioner and an indigene of one of these communities, invited Alonge to join the programme. The photographs Alonge captured during that pivotal trip blossomed into an exhibition in the United States at Baza Studio in New York on February 12, 2019. This exhibition laid the groundwork for his current project, a powerful blend of art and activism that leverages the universal language of photography to raise awareness about the environmental and social challenges facing these communities.
Meanwhile, preparations for an exhibition at the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos, are underway. A team of artists has been working tirelessly, having immersed themselves in the subject matter just a week prior. They responded to an open call inviting them to converge, create, and explore the shared theme between December and January. The exhibition, slated for April 3-13, promises to inspire and educate, shining a light on the resilience and struggles of these communities.
This exhibition is, in fact, part of the larger Lagos Lagoon Climate Response project, which has united a diverse group of artists, including Esther Oloruntobi, Ogooluwa Adeniran, and Yemisi Onadipe, who are showcasing their works alongside Femi Simpson, Jason Ogbazi, Olaosun Pelumi, Rasheed Ibrahim, Bisi Alonge, Basit Akinsemoyin, Uche Enechukwu, Gaspo Koutchika, and Opeyemi Megida. This 10-day exhibition combines photography, sculpture, and performance art, offering a multifaceted exploration of the challenges faced by communities along the Lagos Lagoon.
A notable outcome of the project is the creative use of common water hyacinths to produce unique craft works. This innovative approach showcases the locals’ potential while raising awareness about the environmental impact of invasive species.The project, including the exhibition, is expected to become an annual event, traveling to other environmentally challenged locations in Nigeria. This will provide a platform for artists to engage with diverse communities and highlight the environmental issues that affect them.
Beyond its visual artistic components, the project has had a profound impact on local communities. Adewale Ayodeji, also known as Yaro, has been teaching dance to primary and secondary school students since 2014. His efforts have sparked widespread interest in dance, with many students eager to learn. At Lofi Ogunmude Comprehensive Secondary School in Ejinrin, visited by the media team on Monday, February 24, for instance, both junior and senior students demonstrated enthusiasm for dance.
Talking about Ayodeji’s mentor, the renowned founder of the dance group Crown Troupe of Africa, Segun Adefila, he has played a crucial role in establishing drama clubs in these communities. Thanks to both dancers’ efforts, students now have a platform to express themselves creatively, marking a significant positive change in these schools.
There is no doubt that, like hidden treasures waiting to be unearthed, these communities beckon with promises of untapped potential. The entrepreneurial spirit of Oba Adewale M. Abdul, Olusi II, is a shining example, as his garri-processing plant in Orugbo Iddo Kingdom whips up a maelstrom of innovation. Then, there is the historic town of Ejinrin, which is a veritable treasure trove of tourism potential, with its ancient market and ancient post office.
