According to a news report from Vanguard, the Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim, has urged young people to develop climate-friendly enterprises and adopt clean energy options in Nigeria. Speaking at the Climate Festival held at DePeace Hotel in Ilorin, Kwara State, on May 31 and June 1, 2024, the minister emphasised the importance of sustainability.

The event, themed ‘Climate Action in Nigeria: Finding a Balance between Climate Obligations and Our National Realities,’ was organised by Plogging Nigeria, a youth-driven environmental NGO dedicated to sustainability advocacy. The conference addressed key topics such as sustainable energy access, food security, circular economy, waste management, recycling, and urban agriculture.

In her keynote address, delivered by Prince Momoh Olugbenga and Mrs Lami Bature, Directors of Enterprise Development and Promotion at the Ministry of Youth Development, Ibrahim called on youths to be guardians of national heritage. She stressed that harmful activities towards national resources jeopardise the country's collective welfare and urged the production of healthier food through climate change mitigation and clean energy sources.

The minister said, “Let us be architects of hope, weaving a sustainable fabric for Nigeria. Bio-diversity integration and food system transformation are paramount. Producing healthier food sustainably is vital, but it’s not enough. Poverty reduction, social inclusion, healthcare, and climate change mitigation form an interconnected web. Our youth bridge these gaps.

“I charge Nigerian youth to seize opportunities, develop green businesses, access loans and grants for food, shelter, and clean energy ventures, embrace solar energy, wind power, biofuels, and climate-smart agriculture. Our youth hold the key to resilience. The Federal Ministry of Youth Development pledges unwavering support for these endeavours.”

She said the successes of Nigeria as a country should not only be hinged on economic prosperity but also on safeguarding the environment. “We must unite as stewards of our natural heritage, preserving it for posterity. Economic gains should never compromise our shared resources. Let us reject short-term gains that jeopardize our long-term survival,” she said.

“Climate action is our moral compass. Our national emancipation rests on responsible environmental stewardship. Poverty reduction, wellbeing, and longevity are intrinsically linked to environmental care. Desecrating our land, sea, and forests undermines our collective welfare. Nigeria’s net-zero commitment by 2060 aligns with our energy transition plan—an innovative path toward emissions reduction and increased access to power,” the minister added.

The minister said, “Let us be architects of hope, weaving a sustainable fabric for Nigeria. Bio-diversity integration and food system transformation are paramount. Producing healthier food sustainably is vital, but it’s not enough. Poverty reduction, social inclusion, healthcare, and climate change mitigation form an interconnected web. Our youth bridge these gaps.

“I charge Nigerian youth to seize opportunities, develop green businesses, access loans and grants for food, shelter, and clean energy ventures, embrace solar energy, wind power, biofuels, and climate-smart agriculture. Our youth hold the key to resilience. The Federal Ministry of Youth Development pledges unwavering support for these endeavours.”

She said the successes of Nigeria as a country should not only be hinged on economic prosperity but also on safeguarding the environment. “We must unite as stewards of our natural heritage, preserving it for posterity. Economic gains should never compromise our shared resources. Let us reject short-term gains that jeopardize our long-term survival,” she said.

“Climate action is our moral compass. Our national emancipation rests on responsible environmental stewardship. Poverty reduction, wellbeing, and longevity are intrinsically linked to environmental care. Desecrating our land, sea, and forests undermines our collective welfare.

Nigeria’s net-zero commitment by 2060 aligns with our energy transition plan—an innovative path toward emissions reduction and increased access to power,” the minister added.