Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, has advocated for the integration of environmental education into the curricula of primary and secondary schools across the country. He highlighted that educating young learners about climate change and the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment is crucial for fostering environmental responsibility from an early age.
The minister expressed this viewpoint during a meeting at his Abuja office with the National Organising Committee (NOC) of the West African Summit on Climate Change. The committee sought his endorsement to host the inaugural International Conference on Climate Change in Abuja, planned for October 22, 2025.
Reflecting on his own educational experience, Lawal recalled that environmental topics were once part of the Nigerian school system under a subject called Rural Science. He noted that this foundational knowledge has since been removed, contributing to widespread misinformation about climate change and its detrimental effects.
He stressed the urgency of raising public consciousness about climate change and promoting environmental stewardship, emphasizing that “the environment is the foundation of good health.”
Assuring the committee of his ministry’s commitment, Lawal pledged to offer the necessary institutional support to aid their efforts in advancing Nigeria’s climate change mitigation strategies. However, he also voiced concern over the disproportionate contribution of industrialized nations to global emissions, while developing countries like Nigeria bear the brunt of the consequences.
“The majority of greenhouse gas emissions originate from industrialized countries, yet we often suffer the fallout,” he remarked. “It is encouraging to have organizations like yours dedicated not only to tackling climate change but also to raising awareness about it.”
Highlighting the significance of education and public outreach, the minister revealed that he has successfully persuaded the government, including the president, to allocate increased funding for climate change awareness campaigns this year. He reiterated the need to reintroduce environmental education into the basic school curriculum, recalling how it was once taught as Rural Science during his primary school days. “Though it has vanished from our schools, reinstating it is essential for equipping future generations with the knowledge to protect our planet,” he concluded.
