The Oyo State Government has commenced a Climate Literacy and Awareness Programme to strengthen teachers’ capacity to drive environmental education and climate action in schools, with more than 300 educators expected to benefit from the initiative.
The programme, organised by the Global Impact Sustainable Development Enterprise in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Education, the University of the West of England, Bristol, and the Carbon Literacy Project, aims to improve teachers’ understanding of climate change and sustainability while encouraging them to integrate environmental awareness into classroom learning.
Speaking during the inauguration in Ibadan on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, said teachers play a critical role in shaping the attitudes and values of young people, making them key drivers of climate education.
He noted that although climate literacy has not yet been introduced as a standalone subject in schools, teachers can still incorporate environmental responsibility into their daily lessons and interactions with pupils.
Aderinto stressed that climate change is not limited to flooding, warning that heatwaves, land degradation, irregular weather patterns and food insecurity are also major threats that require urgent action.
He urged residents to avoid indiscriminate waste disposal, particularly dumping refuse into waterways, warning that such practices undermine government investments in drainage and other environmental infrastructure.
The commissioner also disclosed that the state government had strengthened collaboration with the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority and other agencies to enforce environmental laws.
According to him, a whistleblower initiative has also been introduced to reward residents who report environmental violations, while stricter enforcement measures will soon be implemented.
Representing the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Toyin Oyinloye, described the programme as a strategic investment in both education and environmental sustainability.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to partnering with reputable local and international organisations to equip teachers with the knowledge required to address emerging global challenges, including climate change.
Earlier, the Chief Sustainability Officer of Global Impact Sustainable Development Enterprise, Lulu Akindele, said Oyo became the first state in Nigeria to adopt the climate literacy initiative after demonstrating strong commitment to the project.
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He explained that the programme is part of a five-year Africa-wide initiative targeting the training of 7,000 learners by 2030 on climate change, sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Akindele added that participants who complete the training and develop climate action plans would receive internationally recognised Carbon Literacy certificates issued by the United Kingdom-based Carbon Literacy Project.
He said the training would be conducted in four cohorts of 75 participants over eight days at selected schools across Ibadan.
Also speaking, Governor Seyi Makinde’s Special Adviser on Intervention and Donor Funding, Aderonke Adedayo, said the programme reflects the state’s commitment to attracting international partnerships and donor support for sustainable development.
She said improving teachers’ understanding of climate science would help address environmental challenges by enabling them to pass the knowledge to younger generations and promote responsible environmental practices within schools and communities.
One of the participants, the Local Inspector of Education for Ona Ara Local Government, Rotimi Omotosho, described the training as timely, expressing confidence that it would strengthen climate awareness and environmental responsibility among teachers and students alike.