With the February 2025 deadline for updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) come and gone, Nigeria still has a chance to lead, but only if she listens to her youth. Only 13 out of 195 signatories met the deadline, exposing the ongoing challenge of global inaction in the face of a climate emergency.
NDCs are essential tools for countries to outline how they will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the climate crisis. These national pledges are updated every five years through a process known as the Global Stocktake, intended to drive greater ambition and accountability among countries. Since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, there have been three rounds of NDC submissions.
At the recent COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, a clear message emerged that youth must be meaningfully engaged in shaping the climate policies that determine their futures. But are countries listening?
According to UNICEF, only 31% of countries mentioned young people as stakeholders in the development of their second-round NDCs. This is troubling given that nearly half the global population is under 30. In Nigeria, young people make up around 60% of the country’s 210 million citizens. They are not only inheriting the climate crisis, but they are living it.
While Nigeria is not among the world’s largest emitters, its youth are disproportionately vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, from flooding and food insecurity to loss of livelihoods. Yet, in the face of these challenges, young Nigerians are stepping up: educating their peers, launching community projects, raising awareness, and building climate-tech solutions for a more resilient future.
Recognising this energy and leadership, the Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiative (NGYouthSDGs) launched the Empowering Youth Civil Society to Build Stronger Communities project with support from the German Missions in Nigeria. This initiative aimed to educate young people and youth-led organizations on the NDCs and how they could advocate for more inclusive climate policies.
Under the campaign hashtag #ClimateActionForStrongerNaija, the project built the capacity of 178 youth civil society organizations across five Nigerian states and directly reached over 450 young people with knowledge on climate governance. These youth leaders went on to organize community dialogues, educate residents, and develop Local Adaptation Plans of Action in states such as Enugu, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Ondo.
The project also provided ₦5 million in seed funding to four youth-led innovations advancing Nigeria’s NDC and National Adaptation Plan priorities. For many participants, it was a breakthrough moment which offered clarity on how their skills, voices, and passion could help Nigeria fulfil its commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Why does this matter?
Because when young people are included in policy design and implementation, climate strategies become more inclusive, forward-looking, and effective.
Here’s what happens when youth are at the table:
- Climate education becomes a national priority, equipping future leaders to thrive in a green economy.
- Public awareness campaigns reach wider audiences through youth-led storytelling and digital platforms.
- Green jobs and entrepreneurship get a boost, addressing both the climate and unemployment crises.
- Policies become more resilient, rooted in intergenerational thinking rather than short-term gains.
To truly deliver a bold and ambitious NDC 3.0, Nigeria must center young people not as beneficiaries, but as co-creators of climate solutions. This requires three critical actions:
- Institutionalize youth participation in climate governance through inclusion in the drafting, implementation, and monitoring of the NDCs.
- Provide sustained support and funding for youth-led innovations, climate education, and awareness programs through the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Council on Climate Change.
- Integrate youth-focused targets and indicators in the NDCs with emphasis on education, green jobs, and environmental protection to reflect the needs and contributions of young Nigerians.
Currently, Zimbabwe is the only African country with a submitted and ambitious NDC 3.0, where youth played a major role in its development. Nigeria has the opportunity and responsibility to follow suit and lead by example on the continent.
The future of climate action in Nigeria depends on the decisions we make today. It is time for policymakers to not just consult young people but partner with them. Only then can Nigeria build a sustainable, inclusive future worthy of its youth.
Written by,
Joshua Alade
