By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Nigeria has presented its State of Greening Education in Nigeria Report at the ongoing 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey, calling for increased international investment in climate education and green skills development.
The report was presented by the Executive Secretary of the Institute for Greening Education in Nigeria (IGEN), Mr Unyime Robinson, and highlights the country’s progress, institutional commitments, opportunities and challenges in integrating climate change education, environmental sustainability and green skills into the education system.
According to a statement by IGEN, the presentation showcased the National Greening Schools Programme and other initiatives being implemented by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders.
Robinson said education must occupy a central position in the global response to climate change, stressing that achieving a sustainable and climate-resilient future requires more than policy commitments and funding, but also a generation equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to drive the green transition.
He called for stronger international collaboration and investment in climate education, teacher capacity development, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), as well as green skills initiatives targeting young people.
The IGEN chief, who participated in the High-Level Ministerial Opening Session on the Antalya Protocol for Action: Children, Youth and Teachers at the Heart of Greening Education, said children, young people and teachers must remain central to efforts to transform education systems for climate action. He also presented Nigeria’s progress at the High-Level Ministerial Experience-Sharing Session, highlighting policies and practical interventions for mainstreaming climate change education across the sector.
Robinson further participated in the joint ICESCO-Cambridge presentation and formal launch of the Project Initiation and First Draft of the ICESCO Greening Curriculum Standards, an initiative aimed at strengthening curriculum frameworks to address environmental and climate challenges.
On the sidelines of the conference, he held discussions with a delegation of the African Development Bank (AfDB) on possible collaboration and support for climate education, green skills development and sustainable human capital development across Africa. He also participated in several side events, policy dialogues and stakeholder meetings focusing on climate action, education and international cooperation.
Robinson said Nigeria’s experience provides a foundation for Africa’s contribution to the global greening education agenda, emphasising the need to translate international commitments into practical programmes and measurable results at national and institutional levels.
IGEN said it would continue to collaborate with governments, international organisations, development partners, educational institutions and the private sector to strengthen greening education in Nigeria and across Africa. It added that the remaining period of COP31 would be used to build partnerships, share Nigeria’s experience and mobilise support for education-driven climate action.
