By Abbas Nazil
Environmental activist Nnimmo Bassey has called on Nigerian universities to take the lead in the country’s climate transition, describing higher institutions as critical drivers of knowledge, innovation, policy development and community engagement needed to confront the growing climate crisis.
Bassey made the call while delivering a keynote lecture titled “Now for Climate: Nigeria’s Moment, Edo’s Opportunity – Universities at the Vanguard of the Climate Transition” at the 2026 World Environment Day commemoration organised by the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State.
Addressing academics, students and stakeholders, Bassey said universities must move beyond their traditional roles and become active leaders in shaping climate solutions, warning that climate change was already affecting every sector of society and demanded immediate action.
According to him, universities occupy a unique position in society because they produce knowledge, train professionals, influence public policy and nurture critical thinking, making them indispensable in the global response to climate change.
“A vanguard does not wait for change to happen. A vanguard helps shape the direction of change,” he said.
Bassey stressed that every graduate entering the workforce would face challenges linked to climate change regardless of their profession, making climate education a necessity rather than a specialised area of study.
He argued that climate literacy should no longer be restricted to environmental science departments but integrated across disciplines, including law, engineering, medicine, architecture, journalism, economics and public administration.
According to him, universities must equip students with an understanding of climate change, environmental sustainability and the responsibilities associated with their professions in a rapidly changing world.
The environmentalist also urged universities to strengthen research efforts focused on addressing local climate realities and community needs.
He said research institutions should prioritise studies that help farmers adapt to changing weather conditions, improve renewable energy access, strengthen water management systems, support agroecological practices, conserve biodiversity and build community resilience.
Bassey noted that research outcomes should not remain confined to academic journals but should directly serve society by providing practical solutions to environmental challenges.
He further challenged universities to become centres of innovation and demonstration by adopting sustainable practices on their campuses.
Such measures, he said, should include renewable energy deployment, energy efficiency initiatives, waste reduction programmes, water conservation projects, tree planting campaigns and ecosystem restoration efforts.
According to him, students should be able to observe sustainability in practice rather than merely learning about it in classrooms.
Bassey also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between universities and local communities, saying effective climate action requires the integration of scientific knowledge with indigenous knowledge accumulated over generations.
He said universities should serve as bridges between research institutions and communities, ensuring that climate solutions are rooted in the realities of those most affected by environmental change.
The keynote speaker warned institutions of higher learning against endorsing projects labelled as environmentally friendly without critically assessing their social and environmental impacts.
He said universities have a responsibility to scrutinise policies, investments and development proposals to ensure they genuinely promote environmental sustainability and public wellbeing.
Bassey further urged universities to play a more active role in shaping public debates on climate justice, environmental protection and sustainable development.
He maintained that Nigeria’s climate future would depend significantly on the ability of its universities to generate solutions, influence policy and prepare future leaders capable of navigating climate-related challenges.
The environmental advocate concluded that the transition to a sustainable future would require not only technological innovations but also new ways of thinking about development, prosperity and humanity’s relationship with nature.
He urged Nigerian universities to embrace their responsibility in leading that transformation, insisting that the urgency captured in the World Environment Day theme leaves no room for delay.
“The future will not simply happen to us. It is something we collectively create,” Bassey said.
