The Oyo State Government has launched a Climate Literacy and Awareness Programme aimed at strengthening environmental education in schools by equipping more than 300 teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to promote climate action.
The initiative, organised by the Global Impact Sustainable Development Enterprise (GISDEVE) in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Education, the University of the West of England, Bristol, and the Carbon Literacy Project, seeks to improve teachers’ understanding of climate change and environmental sustainability.
Speaking during the inauguration in Ibadan, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, described teachers as critical agents in raising environmental awareness among young people because of their influence on children’s attitudes and behaviour.
He noted that while climate literacy is not yet a standalone subject in the school curriculum, teachers can incorporate environmental education into their daily classroom activities.
According to Aderinto, climate change goes beyond flooding, with threats such as heatwaves, land degradation, erratic weather patterns and food insecurity becoming increasingly serious. He stressed that although extreme weather events cannot always be prevented, their impact can be reduced through public education, responsible environmental practices and effective government policies.
The commissioner also urged residents to stop dumping refuse into drainage channels, warning that such actions undermine government investments in infrastructure and worsen flooding.
He disclosed that the state government has strengthened collaboration with the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority and other relevant agencies to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. He added that a whistleblower policy has also been introduced to reward residents who report environmental offences, with tougher enforcement measures expected soon.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Toyin Oyinloye, described the programme as a strategic investment in both education and environmental sustainability.
Oyinloye reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to partnering with reputable local and international organisations to enhance teachers’ capacity in addressing emerging global issues such as climate change. She encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the training in their schools and communities.
Earlier, GISDEVE Chief Sustainability Officer, Lulu Akindele, said Oyo became the first state in Nigeria to adopt the climate literacy initiative after demonstrating strong commitment to the project.
He explained that the programme forms part of a five-year African initiative targeting the training of 7,000 learners by 2030 on climate change, sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Akindele added that participants who successfully complete the training and develop individual and group climate action plans will receive internationally recognised Carbon Literacy certificates issued by the United Kingdom-based Carbon Literacy Project.
The training is expected to be conducted in four batches of 75 participants each over eight days across selected schools in Ibadan.
Also speaking, Governor Seyi Makinde’s Special Adviser on Intervention and Donor Funding, Aderonke Adedayo, said the initiative reflects the state’s commitment to attracting donor support and international partnerships for sustainable development.
She explained that her office continues to seek grants and technical assistance from development partners, universities, foreign governments and corporate organisations to complement government funding.
Adedayo urged teachers to understand the science of climate change and pass the knowledge to students, noting that many environmental challenges stem from ignorance and can be addressed through education and behavioural change.
One of the participants, the Local Inspector of Education for Ona Ara Local Government, Rotimi Omotosho, described the programme as timely and beneficial, expressing confidence that the knowledge gained would positively impact schools and local communities.
