“If you build the capacity of civil society organisations to understand what the Nationally Determined Contributions represent, they will be ready to take action.”
I agree with this powerful statement made at the Nigeria Futures Summit 2024.
Network of Youth For Sustainable Initiative (NGYouthSDGs) with support from the German Mission organised its inaugural Nigeria Futures Summit 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria. The Summit themed: Empowering Civil Societies to Build Stronger Communities in Nigeria, took place on the 8th & 9th October 2024.
The Nigeria Futures Summit was a rich gathering bringing together youth-led Civil Society Organisations, climate advocates, representatives of Embassies to Nigeria, and key stakeholders in Nigeria’s climate action efforts. The Summit provided a platform for sharing successes, addressing challenges, and fostering innovative approaches to sustainability while shaping Nigeria’s priorities ahead of COP 29. The event also emphasised the critical role of youth leadership in driving effective climate action and advocacy within the country ahead of the reviews of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Let us dive into Day one of the Nigeria Futures Summit which centred on the Youth Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Exchange Forum.
The first day of the Summit was moderated by Ms Boluwatife Ajayi, Senior Programmes Associate of NGYouthSDGs, and commenced with opening remarks by Mr Matthias Dold, Head of the Political Section, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Mr Joshua Alade, the Founder and Executive Director of NGYouthSDGs.
During his opening remarks, Mr Matthias Dold highlighted the various ways countries can support each other in combating climate change. According to him, “It is important that developed nations offer financial support to developing countries to enable them to effectively address the challenges posed by climate change and advance sustainable development.”
Mr Joshua Alade while delivering his opening remarks stated that “Often, we have realised that youth engagement is approached in a tokenistic manner. Young people are frequently considered an afterthought when policy documents are developed. That’s why we are undertaking our work as an organisation, collaborating with the German Missions in Nigeria on the Climate Action For Stronger Naija project to empower youth-led civil society organisations to build stronger communities in Nigeria. This will ensure the inclusion of youth voices, ideas and initiatives in the implementation of Nigeria’s climate policies.”
Moving ahead into the core focus of Day 1 of the summit, the presentation made by the civil society organisations in Delta, Enugu, Nassarawa, Ondo and Kaduna States who are currently implementing the Climate Action for Stronger Naija projects across communities in these states was central to the discussions. The presentation served as an intimate and focused platform where representatives of these youth-led Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) presented their work, shared their achievements, and project progress and discussed the challenges they face in advancing sustainable development and climate action in their respective states.
It has been months of planning and implementation of the Empowering Youth Civil Society for Stronger Communities in Nigeria, also known as the #ClimateActionForStrongerNaija Project. This initiative focuses on identifying gaps in youth inclusion within the implementation of Nigeria’s National Climate Policies, developing capacity-building sessions that equip these CSOs with the necessary knowledge and skills to firmly advocate for youth involvement in climate policies, and addressing obstacles to effective climate action in their communities. This has involved collaboration with community leaders, young people, individuals with disabilities, community stakeholders, and government officials through step-down training and community dialogues, impacting 150 civil society organisations across Nigeria. Learn more here
It was truly heartening for both NGYouthSDGs, the German Missions in Nigeria and stakeholders to hear about the remarkable work being done by the Youth Civil Society Organisations – Plogging Nigeria, Eco-Cyclers, Ecosystem Sustainability Network (EcoSusNet), Save the Slum Initiative, YandyTech Community, The Mcrissar Foundation for Women and Girls, Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, The Special Physically Challenged Care Foundation, Society for the Improvement of Rural People (SIRP), The Green Institute LTD/GTE, Aquaworld Community Development Initiative, Kids & Teens Resource Centre and African Centre for Climate Actions and Rural Development Initiative.
Some insights and findings shared by these youth-led civil society organisations during their presentations include:
- The alarming discovery of how human activities exacerbate Nigeria’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change. These activities encompass waste disposal on streets, in drainages, and waterways in Enugu, Ondo and Kaduna states; the detrimental impacts of continuous mining of mineral resources in Nasarrawa State; the vandalisation of oil pipelines and inadequately designed drainage systems in the Delta State. Collectively these factors contribute to flooding, irregular rainfall, landslides, drought, diminished quality and quantity of food produced and loss of biodiversity.
- There are significant knowledge gaps within communities regarding the true meaning of climate change and how it affects daily life. These gaps were addressed in the selected communities through step-down training and community dialogues tailored to the specific pain points of their respective areas.
- The critical role of government and community leaders in ensuring that the Nationally Determined Contributions and Nigeria Adaptation Plan is adopted and conceptualised within the respective states.
- The need for notable representation of individuals living with disabilities in dialogues and training, recognising that they are directly affected by climate change.
- The energy and enthusiasm of young Nigerians within communities served as champions to mobilise and bring together more young people and youth groups to become part of the step-down training and community dialogues. This was only possible because their voices were heard and their opinions were appreciated during surveys and insight gathering.
Moving forward, a panel discussion on Grassroots Innovation: Youth-Led Solutions for Climate Action in Nigeria was conducted. This session was expertly moderated by Mr Jeremiah Samuel, NGYouthSDGs Champion, with panellists Ms Opeyemi Ogundeji, Programmes Manager at NGYouthSDGs; Ms Bernard Ogechi Mercy, Founder of Eco-cyclers; and a young leader representing Ms Rita Idehai, Founder of Ecobarter.
The discussion offered invaluable insights into how young people are developing innovative solutions to address the climate crisis, including areas such as renewable energy, recycling, sustainable agriculture, climate-resilient infrastructure, and eco-friendly technologies. Through interactive discussions and engaging presentations, the panellists shared their experiences, challenges, and successes in implementing youth-led climate initiatives in Nigeria.
Following the panel discussion, a breakout session was facilitated by Dr Michael Terungwa David, Founder of GIFSEP; Ms Jennifer Anya, Program Associate at NoMAP; and Ms Sandra Jonathan, AACJ Representative. This breakout session provided practical learning opportunities for civil society organisations on the following topics:
- Renewable Energy and Climate Finance: Pathways to Implementation
- Building Resilience: Adaptation Strategies for Nigeria
- Youth Advocacy and Leadership: Shaping Nigeria’s Climate
Day 2 of the Nigeria Futures Summit focused on Defining Nigeria’s priorities for COP 29
Ahead of the 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan and the preparation of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions 3.0, the second day of the Nigeria Futures summit brought together youth civil society organisations, climate activists, policymakers, multilateral organisations, government representatives, private sector and other stakeholders to chart a path forward for Nigeria’s climate action priorities.
The summit which was expertly moderated by Ms Morenikeji Olonilua, commenced with a welcome address by NGYouthSDGs Founder, Mr Joshua Alade who shared the journey of the youth CSOs on Empowering Youth Civil Society to Build Stronger Communities in Nigeria and also emphasised that the climate crisis is no longer a distant threat but one already in our neighbourhoods.
According to Joshua Alade, “Young people are key to shaping their future and must be actively involved in implementing Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions. As an organisation, we are committed to meaningful youth engagement, which is why, for the past five years, we have been collaborating with government and private organisations to advocate for intergenerational dialogues between the youth and older generations.
The Nigeria Futures Summit is designed to advance meaningful youth engagement. Regarding the Sustainable Development Goals, we can still perform better as a nation; it is an opportunity to call for action in support of these goals. Only through strong words and resolute actions can we demand significant youth representation in Nigeria’s development plan.”
NGYouthSDGs advisory board member, Mr Ayodeji Razaq, while delivering his opening remarks stated that oftentimes, the efforts of young people are fragmented and under-resourced and insufficiently integrated into national dialogues. “The Nigeria Futures Summit aims to forge a stronger alliance, foster collaboration, and craft a pathway that will influence Nigeria’s priorities for COP29.”
Her Excellency Annett Günther, Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria and ECOWAS, delivered the keynote address, highlighting that youth-led civil society organisations in Nigeria are at the forefront of climate action. These groups are involved in raising awareness, implementing renewable energy projects, developing innovative solutions for waste management and recycling, and advocating for stronger environmental policies. “Germany has long recognised that addressing climate change requires decisive leadership. This is why we provide both technical and financial support to countries such as Nigeria to implement clean energy, sustainable urban development, and climate action projects in vulnerable communities.”
The Ambassador also presented certificates of training completion to the fifteen (15) civil society organisations on the Climate Action For Stronger Naija project.
The first plenary session focused on Understanding Nigeria’s Priorities for COP 29 featuring panellists such as Hon Olamide Fagbuji, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Technology and Operations, Mr Joshua Alade, Founder/Executive Director, NGYouthSDGs, and Mr Stephen Agugua, National Project Coordinator for the Social Dimension of Ecological Transition Project in Nigeria at International Labour Organisation (ILO). The session was expertly moderated by Ms Praise Okezie.
The plenary session explored government priorities ahead of COP29, the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing data collection on climate change occurrences, practical ways to mobilise community leaders for climate action projects, actions required for NDC 3.0, opportunities for young people in green jobs, and youth engagement in Nigeria’s climate policy.
Some insights shared during the plenary session included the following:
- Climate change is affecting employment and labour issues, underscoring the importance of creating green jobs as a means of mitigating climate change and enhancing employment opportunities.
- Several states are experiencing youth migration to other regions due to the limited availability of jobs, resulting in inadequate pay or income.
- In driving climate action, it is essential to leverage technology to identify the pain points and allocate resources to areas that will benefit the target population.
- Women are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. The International Labour Organisation is currently implementing a four-year programme titled Social-Economic Transition, aimed at building the capacity of institutions to address climate-related issues.
- For COP 29, there will be a significant emphasis on capacity building for Nigerian youth within communities, alongside discussions on food security.
- Disability inclusion in capacity building is crucial, as it creates opportunities for individuals with disabilities to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle climate change and access green jobs.
- There is an urgent need to create spaces that ensure young people are actively involved in progress and data gathering for NDC 3.0. Beyond simply involving young people, it is equally important to incorporate their ideas and opinions into NDC 3.0.
- To drive community advocacy effectively, it is vital first to understand the challenges within the communities and how these issues impact them. Addressing behavioural patterns is necessary before introducing capacity-building initiatives in these areas.
Going forward with the second plenary session, which focused on Youth Leadership in Climate Action: Strategies for Influence and Impact, we had panellists such as Mr Friday Ogezi, Climate Justice Advisor at ActionAid Nigeria, Ms Chinwe Abuwa, Policy & Advocacy Officer at the ONE Campaign, and Mr Lucky Abeng, Climate Justice Campaigner, expertly moderated by MsShamsiyyah Umar.
Insights shared during the plenary session included:
- The government should direct resources to climate financing. There are many youth-led organisations driving climate action, yet only a small proportion has access to funding opportunities.
- Influencing policies in Nigeria can be challenging; however, there is a pressing need to adopt a bottom-up approach that creates avenues for broader engagement, facilitating more platforms for young people in communities to have their ideas and opinions considered in policy formulation and implementation.
- Development finance (DFI) plays an important role in addressing climate change, but when advocating for DFI, it is essential to present strong requests behind our advocacy. For instance, we could advocate for dedicated funds for innovative solutions proposed by young people, as well as funds aimed at capacity building for young Nigerians to scale these innovative solutions.
- Donors are increasingly interested in funding projects that are sustainable, adaptable, and specifically address the issues faced by the target audience.
- Africa possesses innovative solutions that can effectively tackle unemployment. However, when implementing these solutions, it is vital to adopt context-specific strategies. With 10 million people entering the labour market each year, Nigeria must rethink how to adapt its education system to current realities by integrating green skills into the curriculum.
- The challenges posed by climate change should not rest on a single individual; therefore, every young person has a responsibility to advocate for climate action, utilising social media or any accessible platform.
Civil society organisations, climate advocates and young Nigerians who participated both virtually and on-site raised concerns regarding the necessity for the government and private organisations to collaborate with CSOs in communities, who are the front-liners directly interfacing with community members. They also emphasised the importance of inclusive programmes for people with disabilities, proper representation of young Nigerians at COP 29, and the creation of entry points for Nigerian youth in climate-related dialogues, as illustrated at the Nigeria Futures Summit.
Ms Opeyemi Ogundeji, the NGYouthSDGs Programmes Manager, moderated a video showcase featuring testimonials from some of the three hundred young people and CSOs discussing the positive outcome of the capacity-building training. She also highlighted the way forward for the civil society organisations on the project, which involves the development of the Local Adaptation Plan of Action document that will outline a roadmap for localising climate actions within communities.
Ms Pelemo Nyajo delivered a creative spoken word presentation that articulated the plight of the average Nigerian and conveyed hope for future generations.
Mr Joshua Alade gave the closing remarks, expressing gratitude for the support of the German Missions in Nigeria and acknowledging each and every participant at the event, including the young climate advocates, civil society organisations, representatives of the Embassies of Finland and the United States in Nigeria, and leaders from both government and the private sector.
What’s Next for NGYouthSDGs?
- To empower young Nigerians and CSOs with knowledge on climate policy, NGYouthSDGs will develop a user-friendly, interactive learning resource. This resource will break down complex concepts of the National Adaptation Plan and NDCs into easily digestible formats.
- Clear representations of key information to enhance understanding.
- An online platform where these resources can be accessed, ensuring wide reach and engagement.
- Recognising the need for localised solutions to climate issues, NGYouthSDGs alongside the participating youth civil society organisations who are the recipients of the Empowering Youth Civil Societies to Build Stronger Communities in Nigeria – #ClimateActionForStrongerNaija Project will initiate a co-creation process involving youth and local communities to develop Local Adaptation Plans for their respective states: Kaduna, Ondo, Nasarawa, Delta and Enugu. These LAPA will be shared with their local stakeholders for adoption and implementation with a mechanism created for continuous monitoring, evaluation of progress and dialogues.
- To stimulate innovative solutions to climate challenges, we will launch an open call for climate-smart innovations that leverage technology, leading to a pitching event where selected innovators can present their ideas.
- We are actively canvassing for increased youth participation and representation at COP29. Our aim is to collaborate and engage in side events, fostering networks that highlight the importance of youth involvement in climate discussions. We are particularly eager to share the insights gained from the execution of the “Empowering Youth Civil Societies to Build Stronger Communities in Nigeria” project, focusing on capacity Building for Youth CSOs, , mobilising Grassroots Action and amplifying Youth Voices.
- We look forward to securing COP29 badges as delegates, allowing us to participate actively in the discussions. We also recommend that multilateral organisations support the participation of young people from underrepresented communities, who are disproportionately affected by climate crises.
- To ensure accountability and document the impact of the Empowering Youth Civil Societies, we will produce a comprehensive project documentary.
- We understand the importance of collaboration with governmental bodies, such as the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), to amplify youth voices in climate policies.
- Continued capacity-building support is crucial for youths and youth CSOs, especially in areas such as report writing, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, financial management, program impact assessment, and sustainability which have been identified as capacity needs.
Watch the replay of the Nigeria Futures Summit here.
