FG urges universities to drive climate research, support net zero target by 2060
The Federal Government has called on Nigerian universities to actively support its commitment to achieving a net zero green transition by 2060 through evidence-based research on climate change and renewable energy solutions.
The appeal was made by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, in a keynote address delivered at a three-day bi-annual international conference titled “Accelerating Climate Action for Sustainable Livelihood in Nigeria” organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Lawal, who was represented by Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, a director in the Ministry of Climate Change, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building climate-resilient communities through inclusive and equitable growth strategies.
He also announced the launch of the Green School Initiative, a programme designed to foster environmental awareness and sustainability in schools.
The initiative aims to educate students and staff about environmental issues, reduce the ecological footprint of schools, and encourage eco-friendly practices both within and beyond the school environment.
He said, “On climate related research and university collaboration, the Ministry as the focal Ministry for WASCAL initiative in Nigeria with the WASCAL Governing Board has established two competence centres at the Federal University of Technology Akure and Federal University of Technology Minna respectively. Thus far, WASCAL has successfully graduated 28 PhD and 19 Nigeria Master’s students.”
“The Ministry is involving the academia in developing most its climate policies and framework. I call on the university authority to collaborate with the Ministry in promoting evidence-based research on climate change and renewable energy solutions to support our net zero green transition pathway by 2060.”
Earlier, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences of OAU, Professor T. O. Odekunle, said that stakeholders were invited to brainstorm and come up with concrete action plans to pave way for sustainable livelihood under a highly variable and changing climate.
He pointed that the most critically impacted sectors in Nigeria’s economy are agriculture, water resources, natural resources productivity, biodiversity and ecosystems, health, land use, energy, transport, industry, human settlements and migration, and the coastal belt which are affected by climate change.
The Vice Chancellor of OAU, Professor Adebayo Bamire, noted “No single institution can address climate change alone.
This conference brings together researchers from across Nigeria and beyond, policymakers from various levels of government, representatives from civil society organisations, and leaders from the private sector.”
