Non-governmental organisation ActionAid Nigeria has challenged young people across the country to take charge of climate initiatives and ensure public commitments turn into real results. The organisation stressed that youths must not sit on the sidelines when decisions about the environment are being made.
Blessing Ifemenam, Programme Adviser for the Strategic Partnership Agreement Project at ActionAid Nigeria, made the call on Thursday in Abuja, according to the News Agency of Nigeria. She spoke at the National Conference of Youth on Climate Change, also known as LCOY-Youth COP 2026.
The gathering was held under the theme, “Advancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) Implementation: Youth-Led AI and Climate Finance Capacity Building for a Resilient Nigeria.” Organised under ActionAid’s SPA II project alongside its Food and Agriculture unit, the event created space for young participants to present solutions and interact directly with policymakers.
Speaking at the event, Ifemenam noted that the discussion arrived at an important moment as Nigeria prepares to put its third Nationally Determined Contributions into practice. She pointed out that young people deserve seats as decision-makers and advocates rather than ordinary observers.
She explained that environmental problems hit vulnerable populations the hardest, even though they produce the lowest emissions. Because of this, she argued that climate responses must rest firmly on fairness, human rights, and transparency.
Ifemenam also raised concerns regarding climate finance, pointing out that money meant for environmental interventions is not reaching grassroots communities and young innovators. She advised that governments, private companies, and civil society groups must work together to direct resources where they are needed most.
Touching on the use of emerging technology, Ifemenam said artificial intelligence can boost climate advocacy and data gathering. However, she warned that technological tools must stay open to everyone so they do not widen social gaps.
