The Sea Is Taking Our Homes: The Untold Story of Ayetoro -By Amina Muhammad Modu

For generations, the people of Ayetoro in Ondo State lived peacefully by the Atlantic Ocean. Known as Nigeria’s “Happy City,” the coastal community thrived on fishing, farming, and communal living. Today, however, the same sea that sustained the town is gradually swallowing it.

Each year, powerful waves crash into homes, schools, churches, and businesses, leaving destruction in their wake. Residents say entire sections of the community have disappeared beneath the ocean, forcing families to relocate repeatedly. Many have lost their homes, livelihoods, and cherished memories to the advancing waters.

For retired civil servant Victoria Arowolo, the loss is deeply personal. The Atlantic Ocean swept away the small business she established after retirement, leaving her with debts and no source of income. Similar stories can be heard across the community, where residents watch helplessly as the sea claims more land every year.

The crisis has also affected education and healthcare. Schools and health facilities now stand dangerously close to the shoreline, while children and teachers live with the fear that another wave could destroy their classrooms. Fishing, the community’s major source of income, has become increasingly dangerous as rising tides and coastal erosion threaten lives and livelihoods.

Environmental experts warn that Ayetoro represents one of Nigeria’s most vulnerable communities to climate change and coastal erosion. Residents have repeatedly called for government intervention, saying they can no longer fight the sea alone.

As the ocean continues its relentless advance, the people of Ayetoro face an uncertain future. Their story is more than a local tragedy; it is a warning about the growing impact of climate change on vulnerable communities across Nigeria. Unless urgent action is taken, the “Happy City” may soon exist only in memories and photographs.