By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Ace Initiative for Sustainable Development has intensified advocacy for indigenous climate education in Nigeria with the successful completion of a multi-phase climate literacy programme supported by the Pulitzer Center.The programme, which concluded virtually between November 27 and 28, brought together primary school pupils, university students, government representatives, and environmental experts to strengthen climate education using locally relevant and culturally accessible approaches.Designed to improve climate awareness across age groups, the initiative was implemented in three phases: primary school outreach, an inter-university climate competition, and a high-level expert panel discussion.
Delivering the welcome address, Prof. Sade Oderinde, representing the Acting Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED), Prof. Adekunle Olanrewaju Adeogun, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to environmental education and research-driven climate engagement.The first phase focused on introducing indigenous climate education to five public primary schools in Ijebu-Ode through Yoruba-language video adaptations of Pulitzer Center-supported climate investigations.The stories included “How Big Businesses and Individuals Deplete Nigeria’s Protected Forests” by Uchenna Igwe, “Red Gold Project: Battle for the Soul of Depleting Nigerian Forest Reserves” by Taiwo Adebulu, and “Vanishing Herbal Plants and the Health Crisis in Southwestern Nigeria” by Abdulwaheed Sofiullahi.
The outreach was coordinated by Project Lead, Dr. Oluwaseun Anselm, alongside the Schools Liaison Lead, Dr. Faleke Mary. Participating schools were Emmanuel Anglican Primary School I and II, St. Augustine Primary School, Olu-Ola Primary School, and Moslem Primary School.According to the organisers, pre- and post-learning assessments showed notable improvements in pupils’ understanding of climate issues. Many of the children also made “Climate Hero Pledges,” committing to tree protection, water conservation, and climate education within their families.The second phase expanded indigenous climate education to tertiary institutions, engaging students from universities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Participating institutions included TASFUED, the University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, the University of Jos, Federal University Kashere, Federal University of Education Zaria, Yobe State University, and the University of Ilorin.
Students analysed Pulitzer Center climate reports and proposed solutions addressing challenges such as urban heat stress, deforestation, and sustainable land use. Academic coordinators, including Dr. Yakubu Salihu Muhammad, Dr. Yusuf Abdulkabir Toriola, Dr. Seun Nurudeen Akorede, and Dr. Jamiu AbdulQudus Tosin, facilitated student participation across campuses.The programme concluded with a panel discussion opened by Prof. Oladipo Samuel, Director of Research and External Relations at TASFUED. Panelists examined investigations such as “How Airports Fuel Climate Change in Nigeria,” “How Iseyin Women Farmers Cope with Climate Change and Credit Crunch,” and “Climate Shocks, Governance Gaps and the Refugee Crisis in the Sahel.”
Organisers said the initiative successfully created a structured knowledge pipeline, linking child-friendly indigenous storytelling with advanced academic and policy-focused climate analysis.The Ace Initiative for Sustainable Development announced plans to expand the indigenous climate education model to additional states, targeting more schools and universities to strengthen climate resilience and public awareness nationwide.
