Sea Incursion: 52% of Ondo Residents with Disabilities Highly Vulnerable - THISDAYLIVE

A new study has revealed that 51.7 per cent of persons with disabilities in the coastal communities of Ondo State face high vulnerability to sea incursion, with inadequate early-warning systems, inaccessible evacuation centres and worsening livelihood losses exposing them to greater risks during environmental emergencies.

The research, a copy of which was made available to THISDAY in Abuja on Thursday, examined the impact of sea incursion in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas.

It also found that 82.7 per cent of respondents had experienced coastal flooding within the preceding five years, while 67 per cent required assistance to evacuate during flooding incidents.

The findings were presented internationally at the ongoing 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, by Nigerian journalist, psephologist and researcher, Dr Adebayo Jimoh.

Jimoh presented the research, titled The Impact of Sea Incursion on People with Disabilities in the Coastal Areas of Ondo State, Nigeria, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the Nigeria Pavilion, drawing international attention to the disproportionate impact of climate-related disasters on persons with disabilities.

The study, based on field survey data collected in 2026, analysed responses from 300 respondents, comprising 220 persons with disabilities and 80 community and institutional stakeholders.

It identified recurrent flooding, shoreline erosion, displacement, saltwater intrusion and disruption of economic activities as major environmental threats confronting coastal communities, particularly residents with physical and sensory disabilities.

According to the findings, 64.3 per cent of respondents reported that their homes had been flooded more than once, while 71.3 per cent said shoreline erosion had affected their residences or livelihoods.

The research further established that 46.3 per cent had experienced temporary displacement because of sea incursion, while 75.3 per cent lived within two kilometres of the coastline, increasing their exposure to environmental hazards.

An assessment using the Hazard Vulnerability Index (HVI) produced an overall mean vulnerability score of 0.72, indicating high vulnerability.

The study recorded an exposure score of 0.71 and a sensitivity score of 0.76, both classified as high, while the adaptive capacity score stood at 0.69, indicating inadequate capacity to withstand and recover from environmental shocks.

Beyond the physical threats posed by flooding and shoreline erosion, the research identified serious institutional and infrastructural shortcomings that make persons with disabilities particularly vulnerable during emergencies.

It explained that existing early-warning systems frequently failed to accommodate people with hearing and visual impairments, as emergency information was often communicated through channels inaccessible to them.

While people with hearing impairments might miss warnings delivered mainly through verbal announcements, those with visual impairments could struggle to access emergency information distributed through written notices without alternative communication formats.

Consequently, many affected persons depended on relatives, neighbours and other community members to interpret emergency information, a situation the study warned could delay evacuation and expose them to greater danger.

The research also identified inaccessible evacuation centres as a major obstacle to effective emergency response.

It noted that several designated shelters lacked basic disability-friendly facilities, including ramps, accessible toilets, appropriate pathways and adequate spaces for people with mobility impairments.

The study stressed that providing evacuation centres without ensuring their accessibility offered little protection to persons with disabilities during flooding emergencies.

On the economic consequences, it found that sea incursion had worsened the financial difficulties of affected residents, particularly those engaged in fishing, fish processing, petty trading and other informal economic activities.

Flooding and shoreline erosion frequently destroyed homes, damaged fishing equipment, disrupted trading activities and undermined livelihoods, while limited access to alternative employment and social protection programmes made recovery difficult.

The research maintained that the vulnerability of persons with disabilities was not determined solely by their physical conditions but was significantly compounded by societal and institutional barriers, including inadequate infrastructure, exclusionary policies and ineffective disaster-management arrangements.

Presenting the findings at COP31, Jimoh emphasised the importance of moving climate-change interventions beyond conventional environmental protection measures to address the human consequences of climate vulnerability.

He highlighted the need for locally driven research to inform international climate policies, particularly by bringing the experiences of vulnerable communities in developing countries into global decision-making processes.

The study recommended that government agencies and emergency-management institutions develop disability-inclusive disaster-management frameworks, with accessible evacuation routes, properly equipped shelters and specialised training for emergency personnel.

It also called for improvements in early-warning systems through diversified communication channels, including visual signals, community-based alerts and assistive communication technologies capable of reaching people with sensory impairments.

On environmental infrastructure, the research advocated increased investment in sea walls, drainage systems and flood-control structures to minimise flooding and shoreline erosion.

It further recommended that roads, schools, healthcare facilities and other public infrastructure be designed to accommodate persons with disabilities.

To strengthen economic resilience, the study proposed vocational training, financial assistance and access to microcredit facilities for affected residents, particularly those whose livelihoods depend on fishing and other coastal economic activities.

It also urged government agencies, non-governmental organisations and community groups to involve persons with disabilities directly in environmental-management programmes and community decision-making.

The research stressed that their experiences and perspectives must inform policies designed to protect coastal populations rather than treating them merely as beneficiaries of emergency interventions.

It called for stronger coordination among government institutions, civil society organisations and community groups to integrate environmental protection with social protection and economic empowerment.

The study concluded that sea incursion in Ondo State was not merely an environmental challenge but also a socio-economic and institutional problem requiring urgent and inclusive intervention.

Jimoh’s presentation at COP31 reinforced the argument that global climate action must recognise the different ways environmental disasters affect vulnerable populations, particularly persons with disabilities, who often remain excluded from policy formulation, emergency planning and recovery programmes.

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