The Network Advancement Programme for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction has called for a review of the proposed naval base inside the Stubb Creek Forest Reserve in Akwa Ibom. The group’s Executive Director, Emem Edoho, made the call in a petition to President Bola Tinubu through the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal.
Stubb Creek Forest Reserve, also known as Akoiyak Ekid, spans four local government areas: Esit-Eket, Ibeno, Mbo and Eket. It hosts mangrove, freshwater swamp and tropical rainforest ecosystems. Species on the IUCN Red List, including Sclater’s guenon, Mona monkey, manatee, pangolin and forest elephant, live there. The reserve supports fishing, non-timber forest products, firewood and farmland. The Akwa Ibom Government announced the proposed development on 13 October 2026.
Edoho said the project could cause economic displacement. Fishing grounds, non-timber forest products, firewood and farmland could be lost. There is no compensation or resettlement plan. He said the project violates the free, prior and informed consent of the Ekid and Ibeno indigenous communities. He said no Environmental Impact Assessment was conducted. “No EIA, public display or public hearing has been conducted or published,” he said. He cited Section 60 of the environmental law and the Gbemre v. Shell case. He also cited the Akwa Ibom Law for the Preservation and Control of Forests, 2000, which prescribes de-reservation procedures.
Edoho warned about climate impact. Destroying mangroves would release stored carbon. Security presence in a fragile ecosystem could militarise resource access and increase illegal logging. He urged Tinubu to halt clearing, de-reservation and construction pending due process. He asked for an independent panel with federal, state, community and expert representatives. He urged the government to declare the reserve a Critical Natural Habitat and Community Conserved Area.
The government has not responded. The Akwa Ibom Government has not commented. The Ministry of Environment has not issued a statement.
Winners: The communities, if the project is halted. Environmental advocates, who gain a platform. The reserve, if it is protected. Future generations, who inherit the ecosystem. Losers: The Nigerian Navy, if the base is stopped. Contractors, who lose work. The state government, whose plan is challenged. Communities that expected jobs. The economy, if the project was meant to secure waterways.
Bottom Line: A naval base in a forest reserve. No EIA. No consent. No compensation plan. The petition is valid. The government must respond. Security is necessary. It cannot come at the cost of a fragile ecosystem and indigenous rights.