Location: Nigeria, Ogun state
Credit: Busayo Ajayi and Prof Shehu Akintola
Initiative: Asia Africa Blue tech Superhighway (The research is funded by UK International Development through the UK Government’s Blue Planet Fund)
Project: Asia Africa Blu tech super highway: Building sustainable jobs in Fisheries and Aquaculture through investment youth engagement and sustainable business ecosystem
Story: Life Along the Water
This photograph was taken in a riverine community in Ogun State, Nigeria, where water is not just a natural resource but the foundation of everyday life. In the foreground, a mother gently bathes her child in the calm waters of the river, while in the background a man navigates a narrow wooden raft through the waterway. Together, these scenes tell a story of coexistence between people and nature.
The river serves multiple purposes for the community. It is a source of domestic water, a transportation route, and a means of livelihood. The surrounding vegetation reflects the rich biodiversity that supports the ecosystem and sustains local livelihoods, including fishing and small-scale economic activities. For many residents, access to the river determines how they work, travel, and care for their families.
Beyond the intimate moment between mother and child, the image highlights the realities of communities whose lives are deeply connected to natural ecosystems. The water represents both opportunity and vulnerability. While it provides essential resources, these communities are also highly exposed to environmental challenges such as water pollution, habitat degradation, and the impacts of climate change. Any decline in the health of the river directly affects food security, public health, and economic wellbeing.
The photograph therefore sits at the intersection of several disciplines environmental sustainability, public health, social development, and local livelihoods. It demonstrates how biodiversity and healthy ecosystems contribute to human welfare while also revealing the need for sustainable management of natural resources.
In a rapidly urbanizing world, images such as this remind us that many communities still depend directly on nature for survival. The photograph encourages reflection on the importance of protecting freshwater ecosystems, supporting rural communities, and developing policies that balance environmental conservation with human development.