Ilaje Communities to March on August 6 Over Coastal Crisis

Ilaje Communities to March on August 6 Over Coastal Crisis
By Prince Benson Davies

Residents of 20 coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State are set to hold a peaceful protest on Thursday, August 6, 2026, over what they describe as decades of neglect, environmental destruction and loss of livelihood.

The protest is being coordinated by the Coalition of Ilaje Ravaged Communities, with support from Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA. Tagged “Operation Save Ilaje: Protect Our Coastal Communities from Extinction,” the demonstration will commence at 9:00 AM at the Ilaje Local Government Secretariat in Igbokoda.

According to the organizers, participants will come from Ayetoro, Awoye, Mese, Gbagira, Jiringho, Ilowo, Ilepete, Idiogba, Oroto, Alagbon, Erunona, Olotu, Yaye, Womitenren, Ogboti, Lepe, Ehinmore, Abetobo, Abereke and other coastal settlements. They said the action is aimed at compelling the Federal Government and Ondo State Government to urgently address ocean surges, coastal erosion, oil spills and the collapse of fishing and farming in the area.

Community leaders noted that for many years, families in Ilaje have watched their homes and farmlands disappear to the sea. In places like Ayetoro and Abereke, the impact has become severe, forcing people out of their ancestral communities and leaving many without means of survival. They said the time to act is now before more communities are lost.

The coalition outlined several demands. These include immediate steps to halt sea incursions, the construction of durable and scientifically planned coastal defense infrastructure, and a full environmental assessment with clean-up of oil-polluted areas. They are also asking for oil companies implicated in environmental damage to take responsibility and provide remediation.

Other demands are compensation and livelihood support for affected residents, protection of fishing grounds and aquatic ecosystems, and more transparency plus direct involvement of communities in all government interventions along the coastline.

CAPPA urged journalists and media organizations to cover the protest and speak with community representatives and environmental experts on the urgent need to protect Nigeria’s vulnerable coastal populations.

Event Details
Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Venue: Ilaje Local Government Headquarters, Igbokoda, Ondo State