The newly inaugurated Man and Biosphere Youth Network Nigeria has commenced efforts to promote environmental sustainability among young Nigerians with a sensitisation and training programme for students of Plantation High School in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The programme, held on Tuesday within the Omo Biosphere Reserve community, introduced students to biodiversity conservation and sustainable environmental practices.
The MAB Youths Network operates under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s Man and the Biosphere Programme, with the MAB National Secretariat domiciled at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria.
The network was inaugurated on February 27, 2026, by the Chairman of the Man and Biosphere Committee in Nigeria and Director-General of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Prof Zacharia Yaduma, to encourage youth participation in protecting Nigeria’s biosphere reserves and biodiversity.
Speaking during a training attended by 26 students, the MAB Youth Focal Point in Nigeria, Miss Lynda Abodunrin, emphasised the importance of young people taking an active role in environmental conservation.
According to her, biodiversity remains essential to human survival and must be protected through collective action at the community level.
She said, “Conservation begins with everyday actions in our homes, schools and communities. Young people must see themselves as custodians of the environment because the future of biodiversity depends largely on them.”
Abodunrin explained the concept of biodiversity to the students and educated them on practical ways to protect and sustainably manage their environment.
The Principal of Plantation High School, Revd Abiola Osifeso, commended the initiative and assured the organisers that the school would ensure the knowledge gained by the students translates into action.
“We appreciate this initiative, and we are willing to collaborate further with the MAB Youths Network to promote conservation awareness among our students,” he said.
The training was organised in collaboration with the Nigeria MAB Desk Officer, Prof Tayo Oyelowo, as part of efforts to raise environmentally conscious youths within communities hosting biosphere reserves.
Also present at the event were six teachers and members of the MAB Youths Network team, including the Co-Coordinator, Mr Adewale Ishola; Financial Secretary, Mrs Queen Arowojobe; Media Officer, Idara Umoh-Ido; and the Manager of the Omo Biosphere Reserve Office, Mr Clifford Omonu.
Speaking on the outreach, the network’s Media Officer, Umoh-Ido, described the programme as the first of its kind in the area and said it marked the beginning of broader conservation advocacy among Nigerian youths.
She expressed optimism that similar training would be extended to more schools across biosphere reserve communities in the coming months.
The Omo Biosphere Reserve is one of Nigeria’s UNESCO-designated biosphere reserves recognised for its rich biodiversity and ecological importance.
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