By Faridat Salifu
The Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Climate Change, Yusuf Olatunji Kelani, has identified education and strict climate-related law enforcement as the best approaches to addressing Nigeria’s growing environmental challenges.
Speaking to NatureNews at the sidelines of a recent event hosted by the Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV Nigeria), Kelani emphasized the importance of education, grassroots involvement, and effective emission control as central to Nigeria’s climate action plan.
The event, held under the auspices of the Environmental Investigation Agency, UK Project, focused on reducing emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in the country.
During the discussion, Kelani stressed that the key to addressing Nigeria’s climate change issues lies in increasing public awareness and integrating climate change education into the national curriculum.
Collaborating with the Ministry of Education, the government is working on incorporating climate change education into the primary and secondary school curriculums.
Kelani believes that building awareness from an early age will empower future generations to better understand and mitigate the effects of climate change, such as flooding and desertification.
“We believe that from an early age, people need to understand what climate change is about, its effects, and the role they can play in protecting the environment,” Kelani said.
Kelani also discussed a project his office is undertaking, which aims to appoint at least two climate change ambassadors in each of Nigeria’s local government areas by the end of the year.
This initiative will help ensure that climate change discussions are happening at the grassroots level, fostering local ownership and engagement on environmental issues.
“We don’t want people to just hear about climate change in the media. We want them to see ambassadors in their communities, discussing these issues and creating awareness,” Kelani explained.
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On the matter of emissions, Kelani acknowledged the increasing urbanization in Nigeria and its corresponding environmental challenges.
The presidential aide noted that while the Western world often bears the brunt of criticism for its high emissions, Nigeria’s growing urbanization is contributing to similar environmental concerns.
He called for greater efforts to control emissions, which deplete the ozone layer and exacerbate global warming, leading to environmental consequences such as desertification in the north and flooding in the south.
“We need to control emissions because they are depleting the ozone layer, allowing more heat from the sun to penetrate, which is contributing to the warming of the Earth,” Kelani said.
“This warming is responsible for desertification in the north and flooding in the south, both of which are also linked to security challenges.”
Kelani advocated for proactive climate change mitigation measures, urging the government and relevant agencies to act before the rainy season begins.
He highlighted the importance of data sharing among agencies to craft effective strategies for addressing flood control, waste management, and urban planning.
Additionally, he stressed the need for educating citizens on proper urban planning, particularly in flood-prone areas like the Niger Delta, and emphasized better waste management practices and drainage systems.
Kelani highlighted the role of youth empowerment in addressing climate change, citing initiatives such as waste-to-energy projects and recycling programs aimed at creating jobs while reducing environmental damage.
These initiatives are designed to provide young Nigerians with the tools and knowledge to become active participants in the fight against climate change.
When asked how the country can ensure effective climate action, Kelani’s response was straightforward: “Education and enforcement.”
He explained that while public awareness is essential, enforcement mechanisms are crucial to ensuring compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
“Humans, at times, find it difficult to follow laws. So, we need strong enforcement in addition to education,” Kelani said. END
