By Abdullahi Lukman
The Oyo State Government has launched a Climate Literacy and Awareness Programme to equip more than 300 teachers with the knowledge and skills to promote environmental education and climate action in schools across the state.
The initiative, organised by the Global Impact Sustainable Development Enterprise (GISDEVE) in partnership with the Oyo State Ministry of Education, the University of the West of England, Bristol, and the Carbon Literacy Project, was inaugurated in Ibadan on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, said teachers play a critical role in shaping children’s values and are best positioned to drive climate awareness, even though climate literacy is not yet a standalone subject in the school curriculum.
He stressed that climate change goes beyond flooding, warning that heatwaves, land degradation, erratic weather patterns and food insecurity pose increasing threats. According to him, while extreme weather cannot always be prevented, its impact can be reduced through public education, responsible environmental practices and effective government policies.
Aderinto also urged residents to stop dumping refuse into waterways, noting that poor environmental habits undermine government investments in drainage infrastructure. He added that the state had strengthened collaboration with enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with environmental laws and had introduced a whistleblower system to reward reports of environmental violations.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Toyin Oyinloye, described the programme as a strategic investment in education and sustainability. He said the ministry would continue to partner with local and international organisations to improve teachers’ capacity to address emerging global challenges, including climate change.
Earlier, GISDEVE Chief Sustainability Officer, Lulu Akindele, said Oyo was the first state in Nigeria to adopt the climate literacy initiative after demonstrating strong commitment to the project. He explained that the programme forms part of a five-year African campaign targeting the training of 7,000 learners by 2030 on climate change, sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Akindele said participants who complete the training and develop individual and group climate action plans would receive internationally recognised Carbon Literacy certificates issued by the United Kingdom-based Carbon Literacy Project. He added that the programme would be delivered in four cohorts of 75 participants over eight days in selected schools across Ibadan.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Intervention and Donor Funding, Aderonke Adedayo, said the initiative reflects the state’s commitment to leveraging international partnerships and donor support to advance sustainable development. She urged teachers to apply the knowledge gained during the training to promote environmental responsibility among students and within their communities.
One of the participants, the Local Inspector of Education for Ona Ara Local Government, Rotimi Omotosho, described the training as timely and impactful, expressing confidence that it would strengthen climate education in schools.