Ibadan, Nigeria — In a bold move to bridge Nigeria’s green skills gap and empower future climate leaders, EcoSmart Club, a Youth-led Climate Actions Initiative, has trained 52 secondary school teachers across 28 schools in Oyo State on integrating green careers and climate education into classrooms.
The two-day workshop, held on May 7 and 8, under the EcoChampions Programme with support from SOS Children’s Villages, focused on equipping teachers with the tools to embed sustainability into school curricula and establish functional environmental clubs that nurture eco-conscious students.
Participants engaged in interactive sessions on the science of climate change, the future of green jobs, and strategies for fostering student-led environmental action. Practical sessions featured hands-on training in recycling, upcycling, and environmental advocacy.
Inclusivity was a key feature of the event, with schools like the Methodist Grammar School Deaf Unit represented—demonstrating EcoSmart’s commitment to empowering young people of all abilities to access opportunities in the green economy.
Founder Hannah Omokhaye emphasized the urgency of green skills development, citing Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan which projects over 840,000 green jobs by 2060. Yet, she warned of a growing skills gap: “Students need more than just theoretical knowledge—they need climate awareness, critical thinking, and eco-innovation skills. Teachers are crucial to shaping those attitudes and aspirations.”
A key challenge, Omokhaye noted, is the lack of structured green skills training in Nigeria’s education policy—echoing a global trend where only one in eight education systems meaningfully incorporate climate education.
The initiative received commendation from the Oyo State Ministry of Education, with Mr. Ajiboye Oladapo, Deputy Director of Quality Assurance, urging schools to embrace sustainability and guide students toward careers in the green sector.
Teachers expressed renewed purpose following the training. Mr. Adeyemo Babatunde, a geography teacher from Adifase High School, shared: “This opened my eyes to the intersectional issues of climate change. I now see how to prepare my students for green careers through practical education.”
Mrs. Fasanya Tolulope of Apata Grammar School added, “I’m forming an EcoSmart Club in my school and will empower my students to become sustainability ambassadors.”
In her closing remarks, Omokhaye called on policymakers to institutionalize climate education in schools and ensure teachers across the country receive continuous training. “Environmental sustainability must be embedded in our education system,” she asserted.
The Oyo training marks a significant step in localizing climate action and preparing Nigeria’s youth for a green future—one school at a time.
