FG urged to embed climate justice in Nigerian education

By Maduka Nweke

Experts in climate advocacy and education have highlighted the urgent need to integrate climate justice into Nigeria’s secondary school curriculum, saying it is key to empowering young people and fostering long-term environmental sustainability.

The call was made during a national consultative workshop held recently in Abuja, organised by the Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet). The event, themed “Integrating Climate Justice into the Secondary School Curriculum”, brought together key stakeholders to explore how early education can support climate resilience and social equity.

Dr. Samson Ogallah, Head of the Climate Change Unit at the African Union, stressed that climate justice must be embedded in education to equip future generations with the tools to tackle the growing threats of climate change.

“Climate justice is rooted in the principle that the impacts of climate change are disproportionately felt by marginalised communities—those who have contributed the least to global emissions yet suffer the most,” Ogallah said.

He pointed out that African economies, including Nigeria’s, are largely reliant on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, making the inclusion of climate justice in school curricula even more critical.

“Education must go beyond climate science. It should build resilience, leadership, and a strong sense of justice among students,” he added. “Integrating climate justice into the curriculum will empower our youth with critical knowledge and innovative skills. Geography lessons can focus on local ecosystems, while arts can be used to express visions for a sustainable future.”

Dr. Ogallah also suggested the inclusion of case studies from communities impacted by flooding, desertification, and drought as a means of contextualising climate change education.

“Let us commit to this transformative effort. Through education, we can redefine the climate change narrative and create a more just and sustainable world,” he stated.

Mr. Atayi Babs, former National Network Coordinator of CSDevNet, said the initiative is designed to foster early engagement with climate issues and build a future generation of advocates.

“To ensure sustainable activism, we must carry the next generation along. Involving children is the most effective succession plan,” Babs noted, adding that including climate justice in school curricula would deepen grassroots advocacy, particularly in countries like Nigeria that are already heavily impacted by climate change.

Also speaking at the workshop, Dr. Onuche Unekwu, Senior Lecturer at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State, described the initiative as a timely and strategic intervention.

“What we need to do is introduce the concept now so they can begin to tackle the negative impacts and help sustain the planet,” he said.

As climate change continues to reshape communities across the globe, the experts agreed that equipping young Nigerians with both knowledge and a sense of environmental justice is not just ideal, it is imperative.