By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

The United Nations has announced plans to empower over 20 million Nigerian youths with skills and opportunities to build climate resilience ahead of the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), scheduled to hold in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21, 2025.

This disclosure was made in Abuja on Wednesday by Chiranjibi Tiwari, UNICEF’s Climate Change and WASH Manager, during the opening session of the Local Conference of Youth Nigeria 2025 (LCOY), jointly organised by Youth Opportunity and Transformation in Africa (YOTA) and ActionAid Nigeria at the Exclusive Serene Hotel, Wuye.

Tiwari explained that the UN initiative forms part of a global effort under UNICEF’s Green Rising Programme, which aims to mobilise 20 million young people worldwide for climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions — with Nigeria identified as one of the pioneer countries.

“Nigeria’s youth population is over 140 million — a massive force that can deliver 140 million climate solutions,” Tiwari said. “What young people need are the right skills, knowledge, and opportunities to transform these ideas into action.”

He emphasised that youth empowerment remains central to addressing climate change, noting that vulnerable groups such as women, children, and rural communities bear the greatest burden of environmental degradation.

Tiwari also referenced a UNICEF-supported national youth poll, which surveyed over 26,000 Nigerian youths to capture their perspectives on climate engagement and priorities.

According to him, respondents identified four key areas requiring urgent intervention: awareness creation, skills development, financial opportunities, and inclusion in policy-making processes.

The youth also presented six major recommendations to government and development partners:

Launch nationwide awareness campaigns on climate issues.
Provide empowerment through skills training and financial support.
Undertake massive afforestation drives, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
Promote renewable energy access at community and institutional levels.
Support youth-led climate innovations.
Invest in climate-resilient infrastructure.

“Investing in youth is investing in a prosperous nation,” Tiwari noted. “Nigeria’s young people must be at the forefront of shaping climate policy and action.”

The Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) serves as a preparatory platform for Nigerian youths to consolidate their climate advocacy messages ahead of COP30, where nations are expected to renew commitments to the Paris Agreement and global climate financing frameworks.