The United Nations has announced a major initiative to equip more than 20 million young Nigerians with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to lead sustainable climate action. The initiative, part of UNICEF’s Green Rising programme, is designed to empower young people ahead of the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, where Nigeria’s youth delegation is expected to present a unified national statement on climate justice and resilience.
This was disclosed at the opening of the Local Conference of Youth Nigeria 2025 (LCOY Nigeria), which began on Wednesday in Abuja. The two-day event, organised by the Youth Orientation for Transformation and Action (YOTA) in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, brings together young innovators, environmental advocates, and policymakers to develop a common youth position on climate justice for presentation at COP30.
Chiranjibi Tiwari, UNICEF Climate Change and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Manager, said the United Nations is working to empower millions of young Nigerians to drive national efforts on climate adaptation and mitigation. He noted that Nigeria’s over 140 million youth population represents a powerful force for climate transformation if properly equipped.
“Climate change affects everyone, but its impact is especially harsh on vulnerable groups such as children, women, and marginalised communities. Nigeria’s young people have the power and energy to provide millions of innovative solutions to the climate crisis if given the right support,” Tiwari said.
He explained that UNICEF’s global Green Rising Initiative aims to mobilise 20 million youths worldwide for climate action, with Nigeria serving as one of its pioneer countries. Tiwari encouraged young Nigerians to connect with the Young People’s Action Team (YPAT) and the Green Rising network to access opportunities and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Highlighting findings from UNICEF’s recent Youth Climate Poll, which engaged over 26,000 Nigerian respondents, Tiwari said young people are eager to influence national climate policies and solutions. The survey revealed that youths are calling for increased awareness on climate issues, improved skills for green jobs, inclusion in decision-making, and greater involvement in policy dialogues that impact their future.
He added that young Nigerians want government and development partners to prioritise large-scale awareness campaigns, afforestation efforts, renewable energy expansion, youth-led innovation, and climate-resilient infrastructure. “Investing in young people is investing in a prosperous nation. Nigeria’s youth must seize every platform to raise their voices and lead the change toward a sustainable future,” he said.
Representing Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Judith Gbagodi, Governance Specialist, described the conference as more than a meeting, calling it a youth-led movement for practical climate solutions. “It is inspiring to see such an incredible assembly of young innovators and changemakers from across Nigeria who refuse to stand by while our planet faces one of its greatest challenges. This conference is a movement driven by young people determined to secure a sustainable future for themselves and generations to come,” Gbagodi stated.
She stressed that climate justice must be inclusive and people-centred to ensure that the most vulnerable are not left behind. According to her, LCOY Nigeria offers young people a platform to discuss what climate justice means in the Nigerian context and how they can shape both national and global climate action.
“Climate action is not only about reducing carbon emissions and designing policies. It is about people, equity, dignity, and the right of every young person to inherit a livable planet. Through your voices, Nigeria’s youth will shape the National Youth Statement that will be presented on the global stage to amplify our aspirations in international climate negotiations,” she added.
Gbagodi encouraged participants to fully engage in discussions, share their experiences, and collaborate across regions and sectors. “The future we desire will not be handed to us. We must build it together through courage, creativity, and solidarity,” she said.
Amara Nwankpa, Director General of the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, emphasised the importance of ensuring Nigerian youth voices are well represented at COP30. He said the outcomes from the Abuja event will form part of the country’s youth advocacy inputs at the global climate summit in Brazil.
Muhammad Shuaibu, Country Focal Point for LCOY Nigeria, described the National Youth Statement emerging from the conference as a significant policy document reflecting the collective demands and recommendations of Nigerian youths on climate action. He explained that the statement is being developed through extensive consultations at regional and national levels to guide government institutions, development partners, and relevant agencies.
Shuaibu said the youth-led statement will be presented at COP30 as Nigeria’s unified voice on issues such as climate governance, energy transition, climate finance, and resilience. “This document represents the collective vision of Nigeria’s young people for a sustainable and climate-resilient future,” he stated.
Participants, including Charity Kolo and Patrick Amaibi, praised ActionAid Nigeria for its inclusive approach and for providing platforms that amplify youth voices in global climate discussions. They expressed optimism that Nigerian youths will play a crucial role in shaping global conversations on climate adaptation and resilience during COP30 in Brazil.
