WORLD OCEANS DAY 2026: YEAC-Nigeria Calls for Improved Ocean Protection for Climate Justice
As the world commemorates World Oceans Day 2026, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) has called for a renewed and improved relationship with the oceans, stressing the need for urgent action to achieve climate justice.
In a statement issued on Monday June 8, 2026, by the Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Fyneface Dumnamene, the organisation aligns with the global theme, “Reimagine: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean,” describing it as a call to recognise the ocean not merely as a resource, but as a vital life-support system.
Fyneface Dumnamene noted that for coastal communities in the Niger Delta, the need to “reimagine” humanity’s relationship with the ocean is critical, as marine ecosystems continue to face threats from oil spills, gas flaring, plastic pollution, and illegal fishing activities.
YEAC-Nigeria also highlighted the growing environmental and health dangers posed by illegal and artisanal crude oil refining, locally known as “kpo-fire.” According to the group, these activities release toxic substances, including unburnt crude, sludge, soot, and heavy metals, directly into water bodies.
The group warned that such pollution has led to the destruction of marine habitats, resulting in declining fish populations and loss of livelihoods for local fisherfolk. It further stated that contaminated water sources expose communities to serious health risks, including respiratory illnesses and long-term diseases linked to carcinogenic substances.
Additionally, YEAC-Nigeria raised concerns over soot emissions from incomplete combustion processes, noting that black carbon not only affects human health but also contributes to climate change by blocking sunlight and warming the environment.
The organisation emphasised that these challenges, combined with corporate oil spills and plastic waste, pose a significant threat to the survival of millions of people who depend on healthy marine ecosystems in the Niger Delta.
In line with the action theme, “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet,” YEAC-Nigeria said it is intensifying advocacy for the expansion of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and stricter enforcement against activities contributing to marine pollution across Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
The group outlined several initiatives aimed at tackling environmental crimes and promoting sustainable practices, including collaborations on organised crime monitoring, oil spill alert systems, youth volunteer networks, and alternative livelihood programmes powered by renewable energy.
YEAC-Nigeria called on key stakeholders, such as the Federal Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), as well as oil companies to take decisive steps toward environmental protection.
Among its recommendations are the accelerated cleanup of polluted sites in line with the UNEP Ogoniland Report and the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission Report, increased support for community-led marine conservation efforts, and stricter penalties for environmental violations.
The organisation also advocated for the implementation of a Niger Delta Modular Refinery and Livelihood Transition Plan to replace illegal refining with safer, regulated alternatives, alongside the institutionalisation of the Presidential Artisanal Crude Oil Refining Development Initiative (PACORDI).
YEAC-Nigeria further urged citizens, civil society groups, and the media to take active roles in protecting the ocean, emphasising that safeguarding marine ecosystems is essential for securing the future.
“Protecting the ocean is protecting our future,” the statement concluded.
