In commemoration of World Environment Day, over 800 Nigerian youths have joined hands with Save the Children International and Clean Technology Hub to demand urgent climate action, amplify awareness, and push for environmental policy implementation.
With the 2025 global theme of tackling plastic pollution, the summit brought together climate advocates, students, and stakeholders to explore youth-driven solutions to the climate crisis, particularly the threats posed by single-use plastics, deforestation, and erratic weather patterns.
Speaking at the summit in Abuja, Faith Osaretin, advocacy and campaign officer at Save the Children International, emphasised the summit’s purpose as a platform for youth engagement and leadership.
“We are giving young people a voice—to raise awareness on climate change, meet mentors, and drive innovation,” she said.
Highlighting the economic implications of climate change, Osaretin noted that sectors like agriculture have been significantly affected.
“Climate change is altering rainfall patterns and harming crops. This leads to food insecurity and a reduction in GDP. It’s a chain reaction,” she explained.
She praised the federal government’s recent policy of banning single-use plastics as a promising step but stressed the need for youth leadership to ensure its implementation.
“To end plastic pollution, we must push for reduction, reuse, and recycling,” Osaretin added.
Beyond advocacy, Save the Children actively engages communities across Nigeria with tree planting initiatives and climate awareness clubs in schools, especially in climate-vulnerable areas like Borno State.
Echoing the call for systemic change, Ifeoma Malo, CEO of Clean Technology Hub, said World Environment Day is a moment to assess progress and push for more.
Malo revealed that approximately 400 participants attended the summit physically, while about 200 joined online. The summit, she said, also served as a direct interface between youth and government officials.
Responding to questions about the scale of Nigeria’s climate finance needs, Malo estimated that the country faces a $2 trillion challenge in addressing climate change, from waste management to erosion and flood mitigation.
She also called on plastic manufacturers to take greater responsibility.
The summit concluded with a unified message: youth are not just future leaders –they are leading now.
