Why Nigeria Must Embrace Greater Investment in Climate Education

Eco-learn Nigeria has called for greater investment in climate education as a critical tool for addressing Nigeria’s environmental challenges, disclosing that its climate literacy initiative has directly trained 50 teachers across Lagos State who have in turn impacted over 2,000 students with plans to double these numbers by 2027.

The organisation disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists, where it highlighted its achievements, partnerships, and vision for expanding access to climate education across Nigeria.

According to the statement, Nigeria is currently facing increasing climate-related challenges, including flooding, coastal erosion, food insecurity, energy poverty, and extreme weather conditions. It argued that while investments in physical infrastructure such as roads, dams, energy projects and flood barriers remain important, they are insufficient without climate education.

The organisation stated that climate education should be regarded as a form of infrastructure because it supports governance, innovation, behavioural change, policy implementation and sustainable economic development.

“Climate education is not merely an awareness exercise or a ‘soft’ social intervention. It is infrastructure in the truest sense: a long-term enabling system that underpins governance, innovation, behavioural change, policy implementation, and sustainable economic growth,” the statement said.

Eco-learn Nigeria noted that climate knowledge gaps continue to affect climate action efforts in the country, citing limited understanding of climate risks among local governments, climate misinformation, weak integration of climate considerations into business decisions, resistance to energy transition policies, and a disconnect between national climate commitments and grassroots realities.

Providing details about its operations, the organisation described itself as a climate education initiative focused on empowering educators, students and communities with practical knowledge and skills needed to drive climate action and build resilience.

According to the statement, its programmes include teacher capacity building, student engagement initiatives and community-led sustainability projects aimed at integrating climate literacy into classrooms while encouraging practical environmental action.

The organisation attributed part of its success to the support received from the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos, which it described as a major sponsor and strategic partner.

“A key driver of our success has been the unwavering support of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos, which has served as both a valued sponsor and an immersive support system for our work,” the statement said.

It added that its work has also benefited from collaborations with the Youth Sustainable Development Network (YSDN), Climate Cardinals, and the Lagos State Government, while also maintaining membership of the Paris Committee on Capacity-building (PCCB) Network under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Eco-learn Nigeria said its long-term vision is to achieve universal access to climate education by 2030, while its mission remains empowering communities with the knowledge, skills and resources required to advance climate action.

Speaking on its approach, the organisation explained that its innovation lies in a practical and systems-based climate education model that combines climate literacy, soft skills development, and community engagement.

Central to this model is what it describes as the “Teacher-as-a-Climate-Multiplier” framework, through which educators are trained not only in climate issues but also in adaptable teaching methods and transferable skills such as communication, leadership, collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving.

According to the statement, the model enables teachers to integrate climate concepts into different subjects and sustain climate education long after formal training programmes have ended.

“These soft skills are especially important in a context where climate change apathy remains high,” the organisation stated, adding that the approach helps make climate education more practical, relevant and action-oriented for students and teachers alike.

Eco-learn Nigeria further revealed that it is developing a Learning Management System (LMS)-driven platform designed to make climate education easier to access, understand, and apply in everyday life.

The figures, it explained, represent the cumulative impact of several initiatives, including its flagship teacher capacity-building programme across Lagos’ six educational districts; the Lagos Lagoon Project implemented in Ejirin, Saga and Oriba coastal communities in Epe with support from GIZ; as well as the National Youth Dialogue organised in partnership with YSDN and We Are Tomorrow Global Partners.

Through these initiatives, the organisation said teachers have been equipped with resources and facilitation skills needed to integrate climate education into classroom activities, while students have gained a stronger understanding of climate change, environmental sustainability and practical environmental actions.

“These achievements have been made possible through strong partnerships, particularly the continued support of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos,” the statement noted.

Beyond the classroom, Eco-learn Nigeria said its programmes have strengthened collaboration among schools, government institutions, development partners and community stakeholders while promoting sustainable practices and increasing awareness of environmental issues.

The organisation stressed that combining climate literacy with transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership and problem-solving has helped participants connect climate issues to their daily experiences and reduce climate apathy.

“These outcomes demonstrate how targeted climate education can build long-term resilience, empower future climate leaders, and create lasting environmental and social impact at the grassroots level,” the statement said.
As part of its recent activities, Eco-learn Nigeria disclosed that it participated in the QS Impact Global Day of Action 2026 through a climate education project at Vetland Junior Grammar School in Lagos.

The initiative engaged more than 50 students through an interactive programme aimed at promoting environmental leadership and practical climate action.

According to the organisation, the programme was designed to address low levels of climate literacy among young people, many of whom experience the effects of climate change such as flooding, poor waste management, extreme heat and limited access to clean and affordable energy without fully understanding the causes or possible solutions.

“Young people are among those most affected by climate change because they will inherit its long-term consequences. Despite this, many still lack access to quality climate education and meaningful opportunities to participate in climate action,” the statement added.

It further explained that the project provided secondary school students with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to become environmental stewards and future climate leaders.