By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), in collaboration with the African Centre for Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development (ACEARD), has commenced the State-Level Step-Down Training on the Greening Schools and Climate Change Education Intervention (GSCCEI) in Abia State as part of efforts to mainstream climate change education and environmental sustainability across Nigeria’s basic education system.
The training, which brings together officials of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Desk Officers, school administrators, facilitators and other education stakeholders, is expected to strengthen institutional capacity and support the effective nationwide rollout of the GSCCEI.
In a press release the Chief Executive of ACEARD, Mr. Unyime Robinson after the opening ceremony in Umuahia, commended UBEC for its leadership in advancing climate change education in Nigeria. He described the GSCCEI as a transformative initiative that would empower schools to become centres of environmental stewardship, innovation and resilience while equipping learners with the skills needed to address climate challenges.
Robinson said the programme goes beyond conventional environmental education by integrating climate literacy, sustainability practices and green skills into teaching, learning and school management processes. According to him, the intervention represents a strategic investment in the future of young Nigerians and the country’s sustainable development aspirations.
Declaring the training open on behalf of the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, the Commission’s representative, Mr. Madmere Victor, described the programme as a strategic intervention under the Federal Government’s education reform agenda.
Victor noted that the GSCCEI aligns with the National Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and Nigeria’s commitment to the UNESCO Greening Education Partnership. He disclosed that UBEC has developed the National GSCCEI Implementation Guidelines and Handbook, alongside a web-based Monitoring and Evaluation Portal to support implementation, performance tracking and accountability.
He said the Commission remains committed to providing sustained technical support to states and the Federal Capital Territory throughout the implementation process in partnership with ACEARD.
The ACEARD chief executive urged participants to see themselves as change agents who would drive the successful implementation of the programme at the grassroots level. He also reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to providing technical assistance, capacity building, monitoring and implementation support to participating states.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mrs. Lydia Ezihe Onuoha, welcomed participants and commended UBEC for implementing the greening schools intervention in the state.
She stressed that climate change poses significant challenges to education and national development and underscored the importance of equipping schools with the knowledge and tools required to respond effectively to environmental challenges.
A major highlight of the training was a presentation on Greening Education and the GSCCEI Implementation Guidelines, which provided participants with practical guidance on integrating climate change education, environmental sustainability, green skills and climate-resilient school practices into school curricula and management systems.
Participants were also introduced to the Climate and Green Champions Clubs Handbook, developed to support the establishment and effective management of school-based clubs that will promote environmental awareness, climate action, leadership and sustainable practices among learners.
Built around seven core pillars, the GSCCEI integrates climate change education, green skills development and sustainability practices into basic and secondary school curricula across Nigeria. Stakeholders at the event expressed confidence that the initiative would help build greener, more sustainable and climate-resilient schools for present and future generations.
