Youth Coalition to Track Nigeria’s Climate Action

Young Nigerians working on climate and environmental issues are now set to have their work documented through a new national platform designed to connect their activities with Nigeria’s climate policy process.

The Nigeria NDC Youth Coalition was launched virtually on August 22, 2026, with a focus on recording youth-led climate action, producing evidence and creating opportunities for young people to contribute to the implementation of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0.

The coalition was created after participants identified some gap between the amount of climate work being done by young Nigerians and their involvement in formal policy processes.

Young people are already active in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, waste management, environmental protection, research, advocacy, community action and green businesses. But much of that work is carried out separately and is not systematically recorded.

The new platform aims to address that gap through data collection, research, publications and documentation of youth-led climate solutions across Nigeria.

From scattered projects to evidence

The coalition said documenting youth action would give a clearer picture of how young Nigerians contribute to the country’s climate goals.

It plans to develop systems that allow members to record their activities and produce evidence from work taking place in agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, adaptation and environmental protection.

That evidence will also support youth advocacy and engagement with institutions such as the National Council on Climate Change.

The coalition’s roadmap includes regional engagement, community-level programmes across the six geopolitical zones, youth-led research, data collection and annual reporting.

It also plans to improve communication about youth climate work and make information about these activities easier to identify and document.

The need for better documentation was tied to a larger problem identified at the launch. Participants maintained that many young people have limited knowledge of the NDC, while the technical nature of climate policy can make it difficult for them to take part meaningfully.

The coalition was therefore conceived as a platform where young people can understand the NDC, build technical capacity, produce evidence and engage policymakers from policy development through implementation, monitoring and accountability.

Youth participation before policies are set

The coalition also wants young people involved before climate policies are completed, instead of limiting their participation to consultations or meetings where decisions have already been made.

Blessing Ifemenam of ActionAid Nigeria maintained that young people could contribute to policymaking through evidence, technical input, advocacy and engagement.

She said the coalition should ensure that young people take part from the beginning of climate policy processes.

The National Council on Climate Change welcomed the coalition, with its representative, Dr Awele, saying young people are crucial to implementing Nigeria’s NDC.

She also stressed the need for regional and subnational representation, with young people, civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations taking part in climate action.

The NDC Partnership, represented by its Nigeria Country Representative, Huzi Mshelia, said the coalition could connect young people with government institutions, development partners, the private sector and civil society.

Mshelia said youth priorities should be included in climate policies, programmes and investments, with participation from young women, persons with disabilities, vulnerable groups and young people from different regions.

The coalition will also prepare young Nigerians for COP31 through webinars, simpler climate policy information and opportunities for participation in the international climate process.

Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections, it is expected to provide a platform for young people to develop climate priorities and engage political leaders and candidates on climate governance, climate finance, green jobs, sustainable livelihoods, adaptation and mitigation.

The coalition said its success would depend on action after the launch, including collaboration, evidence generation and participation in climate governance.