Young Nigerians are intensifying efforts to promote climate justice and support the nation’s green transition ahead of the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil.
At the South-West Regional Local Conference of Youth (LCOY Nigeria 2025), held at The Zone, Gbagada, Lagos, participants engaged under the theme “Youth at the Forefront of Climate Justice: Accelerating Action for a Just Transition.”
Organised by the Inspired Youth Network, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria and the Lagos State Government, the conference provided a platform for young people to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and make inputs into climate policy.
ActionAid Nigeria’s Project Advisor, Blessing Ifemenam said “the initiative aimed to unify young people’s voices ahead of COP30 and turn global commitments into local actions.”
“Beyond developing a position paper, we want to translate global discussions into real-time community solutions,” she noted.
Participants displayed innovations in renewable energy, tree-planting campaigns, and digital climate education tools, highlighting practical responses to Nigeria’s climate challenges, including floods, heatwaves, and environmental degradation.
Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), Adamu Garba, said; “youth-led innovations could address unemployment and drive green entrepreneurship.”
“Seventy per cent of Nigeria’s population is youth. What we see here is evidence that young people are not just talking about climate change—they are taking action,” he said.
Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Lagos State Governor, Titilayo Oshodi stressed that climate justice entails fairness and inclusiveness.
Oshodi said; “It is about protecting those most affected by flooding, pollution, and extreme weather so that no one is left behind.”
She noted that Lagos is deploying electric tricycles for waste collection and expanding public-private partnerships to promote recycling and create green jobs.
“Across Nigeria, young people are redefining leadership. You are not the leaders of tomorrow—you are the implementers of today,” Oshodi added.
Initiatives such as Eco-Circulate, Let Lagos Breathe, and Leave No One Behind form part of the state’s efforts to promote a circular economy and boost youth employment.
With the combined efforts of ActionAid Nigeria, the Lagos State Government, NCIC, and the Inspired Youth Network, youth-led climate action in Nigeria is gaining strong momentum, proving that young Nigerians are already shaping the nation’s sustainable future.