Environmental group opposes proposed naval base in Akwa Ibom forest reserve

An environmental organisation, Peer Foundation, has opposed plans to establish a naval base in the disputed Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve in Akwa Ibom State, warning that the project could deepen environmental degradation and heighten tensions with host communities.

The organisation, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Mfon Gabriel, on Monday, demanded that Akwa Ibom and federal governments reverse the decision and halt industrial activities within the reserve.

The proposed naval base was announced by the state government as part of efforts to strengthen security along the coastline and protect critical oil and gas infrastructure.

The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, Koko Essien, disclosed the plan during a ministerial briefing in Uyo, according to media reports.

Peer Foundation argued that establishing a military facility in the reserve without adequate consultation with affected communities could undermine their livelihoods, access to ancestral lands and environmental rights.

The organisation alleged that the proposal was part of a pattern of using security infrastructure to facilitate commercial activities in the forest, including petroleum-related projects.

It also called for the withdrawal of what it described as “destructive” refinery plans and the commencement of a community-led forest restoration programme.

Forest under pressure

The dispute over the proposed naval base occurs amid longstanding concerns about the destruction of Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, which spans parts of Eket, Esit Eket, Ibeno and Mbo local government areas.

In a November 2025 report, PREMIUM TIMES documented how road construction and the BUA refinery project contributed to the loss of forest cover and raised concerns about the future of the reserve.

The report, titled “How refinery and highway project wiped out Akwa Ibom’s Stubbs Creek Forest,” also examined questions surrounding compliance with the legal procedures for removing protected forest land from reserve status.

Another PREMIUM TIMES report, published in 2026, examined the environmental risks associated with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway’s proposed route through the reserve.

The report cited a study that estimated the climate damage associated with emissions from the proposed highway route at about N785 billion, highlighting the potential cost of further disturbance to the forest.

The reserve is an important ecological habitat, supporting wildlife and providing resources for communities that depend on the forest for their livelihoods. Most importantly, the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve serves as a buffer between Akwa Ibom land and the Atlantic Ocean.

‘Community engagement should precede announcement’

Peer Foundation said the government failed to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of indigenous communities before announcing the proposed naval base.

It argued that decisions affecting the forest should not be made without involving residents whose livelihoods, cultural heritage and access to natural resources could be affected.

The organisation also warned that introducing a military installation without adequate community engagement could generate mistrust and tensions between residents and security personnel.

It said the presence of a naval base near petroleum infrastructure could also raise concerns about whether security operations would prioritise the protection of corporate assets over the rights and welfare of host communities.

“National security cannot exist at the expense of ecological survival,” the organisation said.

It described Stubbs Creek as a vital carbon sink and natural barrier against coastal erosion, warning that clearing more forest for infrastructure could worsen environmental damage.

The group also said the forest provides medicinal resources and supports local livelihoods, including activities tied to the area’s natural resources.

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Dispute over the reserve

The proposed naval base adds another dimension to the longstanding dispute over the management, ownership and development of Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has previously rejected claims that the forest belongs exclusively to the Ekid people, arguing that the reserve is administered by the state under applicable laws.

In a report published in January 2026, PREMIUM TIMES examined leaked government memoranda that appeared to support the Ekid people’s claims to parts of the reserve.

The dispute has also centred on whether the relevant legal procedures for changing the status of protected portions of the forest were followed before development projects were undertaken.

Peer Foundation called on the state and federal governments to prioritise ecological restoration, environmental accountability and community participation over further industrial development in the reserve.

The organisation said it would pursue its opposition through legal and peaceful means.

The Akwa Ibom State Government said it wants the naval base to improve security along the coastline and protect strategic infrastructure. However, further details on the proposed facility’s implementation, its precise location, and the environmental safeguards to be applied were not provided in the available announcement.