Abstract:

Sea level rise occasioned by climate change has been considered as a major threat among the coastal communities in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria. The effects of sea-level rise on human security include the displacement and vulnerability of the inhabitants. The study aims to examine its socioeconomic effects on the inhabitants in their new settlements. The study adopted the Trauma Theory in explaining the effects of forced migration on Itak Abasi inhabitants. The triangulation method of data-gathering techniques was adopted in this study. The primary data used are collected from the structured questionnaire and unstructured interview. The study adopted a descriptive statistical analysis using charts. The study unravelled that Itak Abasi inhabitants faced lots of challenges such as loss of family bonds, health challenges, loss of jobs, properties, among others. The study recommends amongst others that the Niger Delta Development Commission should fast-track the completion of the rivers bank project in Itak Abasi to protect the remaining island from been eroded by the flood.