BENIN CITY, Nigeria — The Environmental Defenders Network released a report on Nigeria’s environmental conditions on Friday, August 28, 2026, and posthumously honoured three Nigerian activists.
The presentation was held in Benin City, Edo State.
The organisation, known as EDEN, said its State of the Nigerian Environment Report was intended to encourage civil society groups, communities and public institutions to work together on the country’s environmental problems.
Chima Williams, EDEN’s executive director and board chairman, said the publication was designed to challenge people and institutions contributing to environmental damage and to begin a broader discussion about possible solutions.
Williams said the choice of Benin City for the unveiling was not connected to fundraising. He described the occasion as the beginning of a process through which community representatives, campaigners and other stakeholders could document environmental conditions and develop responses.
Report Calls for Wider Participation
Williams said EDEN produced the report without financial support from an outside organisation.
“The State of the Nigerian Environment Report is an original and completely Nigerian initiative. We didn’t get funded from anybody to do this report,” he said.
He described its publication as the fulfilment of a longstanding ambition to promote environmental protection while recognising activists who had influenced younger campaigners.
Williams asked civil society organisations, government agencies, researchers and other interested groups to examine the report and supply additional information.
He said their contributions could support the creation of a more extensive and regularly updated national record of environmental conditions.
“Our environment is our life. If we protect our environment, it will protect us,” Williams said.
He added that environmental degradation threatened all Nigerians and called for broader participation in efforts to address it.
Three Activists Honoured Posthumously
The event also recognised Professor Festus Iyayi, Oronto Douglas and Jonathan A. Ihonde for their work in environmental justice, social activism and national development.
The three men were named as the first inductees into the Environmental Defenders Network Hall of Fame.
Douglas was honoured for his involvement in environmental justice litigation and his role as a mentor to younger campaigners.
EDEN also credited him with supporting the growth of student-led environmental advocacy.
Iyayi, a former president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, was recognised for his work as an academic, author and social critic.
The organisation said his writing and commitment to social justice influenced young activists, particularly at the University of Benin.
Ihonde was remembered for his work in labour activism, theatre, education and public life. He was described at the event as a “silent operator” whose activities influenced generations of campaigners and performers.
Williams said the awards were created to preserve the legacies of the three men and acquaint younger Nigerians with their contributions to social and environmental causes.
He called on civic organisations, researchers, communities and government institutions to pool their knowledge and resources in addressing environmental problems.
He said the work of the three honourees had established foundations on which a new generation of campaigners could build.
