The Nigerian Navy has called on Nigerians to join government and relevant institutions in protecting the country’s lakes, warning that environmental degradation is threatening water resources and the livelihoods of millions of people.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, made the call on Thursday at the 2026 World Lake Day celebration organised by Naval Base Abuja under the theme, “Revitalising Our Lakes: Advancing Ecosystem Resilience and Shared Prosperity.”
Abbas, who was represented by the Director of Civil-Military Cooperation at Naval Headquarters, Commodore Innocent Uduodoh, said protecting and maintaining Nigeria’s lakes could not be left to government alone because communities living around the water bodies were the first line of contact with them.
“We must recognise that the stewardship of our lakes is not just a responsibility of the government or a particular group, but a collective duty that requires the active participation of all,” he said.
The Chief of Naval Staff urged stakeholders to prioritise sustainable management of the nation’s lakes while addressing environmental challenges threatening the water bodies.
He described Nigeria’s lakes as natural assets with major implications for water and food security, power generation and environmental sustainability.
“Nigeria is blessed with numerous lakes; Lake Chad, Kanji Lake, etc which have been a lifeline for millions of citizens through fishing and agriculture, livestock grazing, water supply, transportation, tourism, bio-diversity, among other things,” Abbas said.
Lake Chad loses about 90% of its size
The CNS disclosed that Lake Chad had shrunk by approximately 90 per cent compared with its size in 1963, with serious consequences for communities dependent on the basin.
According to him, the decline has affected the well-being of about 13 million people in the region, including their employment, nutrition and sanitation.
He attributed the pressures facing Nigeria’s lakes to population growth, pollution, climate change, overfishing, illegal fishing and poor management practices.
“The consequences are dire from declining water levels, to loss of diversification, and the negative impact on the livelihood of communities that depend on these lakes,” he said.
Abbas called for stronger measures to control pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial waste and domestic sewage.
He also urged increased research into the changing dynamics of lakes and greater involvement of communities affected by environmental decisions.
“We must work to address the impact of climate change on our lakes, research to better understand the dynamics of the lake and involve communities affected in the decision making processes to ensure inclusion,” he said.
Navy expands role in Lake Chad conservation
The Commander, Naval Base Abuja, Commodore Oluseyi Oladipo, said the World Lake Day event was also an opportunity to strengthen public awareness and civil-military relations.
Oladipo said the initiative aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly its emphasis on strengthening the civilian assistance and outreach functions of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He said the Navy also intended to contribute to efforts to rehabilitate the Lake Chad Basin ecosystem and other water bodies.
“We are inspired to use world lake day to emphasise the importance of lakes to ecosystems, economies, and communities, while fostering greater awareness of environmental issues,” Oladipo said.
He said the Navy hoped the celebration would encourage practical policy measures to protect and restore lakes threatened by pollution, excessive use and climate change.
“We also hope to encourage pragmatic policy actions aimed at protecting and restoring lakes from pollution, overuse, and climate change impacts towards shared prosperity of Nigerians,” he said.
Oladipo added that the event provided a platform for the Navy to educate the public, students, youths and policymakers about the ecological importance of lakes.
As part of activities marking the celebration, the Nigerian Navy also carried out a one-week cleaning exercise at Lake Chad.
The Navy said the initiative was intended to complement broader efforts to raise awareness about the importance of protecting Nigeria’s water resources and supporting the communities that depend on them.
Source: NAN
