The President of the Nigeria Youth Congress (NYC), Comrade Jethro Anum, has raised the alarm that young people are the first responders to climate change crisis, adding that they find it difficult to mitigate and adapt to the crises.
According to him, climate change impact has affected communities, destroyed, farmlands, homes through floods, led to loss of biodiversity and decreases in food and losses of jobs .
Anum noted this in Abuja at the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) 2025 organised by ActionAid Nigeria, in partnership with youth networks and climate-focused organisations.
LCOY 2025 with theme: “Youth at the forefront of climate justice” is a national youth dialogue aimed at amplifying young people’s voices and actions on climate change in Nigeria.
According to him, climate change affects every Nigerian in one form or the other either directly or indirectly.
He said youth who comprise of the majority population in Nigeria and most affected have a critical role to play in the fight to mitigate and adapt to the climate crises.
According to him, having young people in policy and decision-making spaces to speak on issues that affect them becomes important.
Also, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, represented by the Governance Specialist Judith Gbagidi, he explained that the conference will explore what it truly means to achieve climate justice in Nigeria, ensuring that the most vulnerable among us are not left behind in the race toward a sustainable future.
“Through your voices, we are reminded that climate action is not only about carbon emissions and policies; it is about people, about equity, dignity, and the right of every young person to inherit a livable planet,”she said.
Also, the Assistant Chief Youth Development Officer Ministry of Youth, Onah Bernard, said the theme could not be more timely because young people are no longer bystanders in the climate discourse; they are innovators, advocates, and change agents shaping the policies and practices that define our collective future.
“As a ministry, we recognize that addressing climate change is not merely an environmental necessity it is a matter of equity, justice, and intergenerational responsibility.
“We are committed to strengthening youth participation in climate governance, empowering green entrepreneurship, and ensuring that national and global commitments translate into local impact.
“Together, let us accelerate action not just in words, but through bold initiatives that safeguard our planet and secure a just and prosperous future for generations to come.
“The Federal Ministry of Youth stands with you for climate justice, for sustainability, and for the power of young people to lead transformative change,” he said.
