The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) has urged Nigerian youths to take leadership roles in advancing the implementation of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0).

NCCC Director-General, Tenioye Majekodunmi, made the call during the first Nigeria Youth Climate Summit held in Abuja on Wednesday.

The event, which aimed to strengthen youth participation in Nigeria’s NDC 3.0 process, was organised by the council in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and ActionAid, with support from GIZ.

Ms Majekodunmi urged young Nigerians to engage in innovation, entrepreneurship, and advocacy and to provide solutions to climate challenges in support of Nigeria’s green transition.

According to her, climate action goes beyond environmental protection and encompasses job creation, innovation, stronger energy security, and the building of a more resilient future.

She called for stronger youth participation in climate action across schools, communities, and businesses, stating that their leadership is key to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s NDC 3.0.

In a statement after the summit, the NCCC said the event underscored youths’ role in shaping Nigeria’s climate future.

UNICEF Nigeria Deputy Representative for Programmes, Rownak Khan; the chairman of the House Committee on Climate Change and Ecology, Kama Nkemkanma; and Somkele Awa-Kalu of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) delivered goodwill messages at the event.

Youth Development Minister Ayodele Olawande, represented by Leah Tolulope, as well as Suwaiba Dankabo of ActionAid, also addressed participants.

The Junior Climate Heroes Awards were launched during the summit, which had youths, policymakers and development partners in attendance. 

The NDC 3.0 outlines Nigeria’s commitment to climate action under the Paris Agreement, which was adopted by 195 parties at COP21 in 2015. 

It sets out the country’s plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change, with youth participation identified as a critical component of its implementation.