By Felicia Imohimi

The Federal Government and other stakeholders have called for increased access to climate finance and adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strengthen youth participation in implementing Nigeria’s climate commitments.

They made the call at the National Conference of Youth on Climate Change (LCOY-Youth COP 2026), organised by ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

Mr Oyekan Adedoyin, Deputy Director, Youth, Migration and Climate, Ministry of Youth Development, said climate change posed significant development challenges, including flooding, drought, desertification, food insecurity and displacement.

He said young people should be recognised as partners and innovators in climate action, with meaningful involvement in policy formulation, decision-making and implementation of third Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0).

Adedoyin identified AI’s potential in strengthening early warning systems, climate risk assessments, environmental monitoring, climate-smart agriculture and disaster preparedness.

He said expanding access to digital skills, technology, grants and climate finance would enable young people, particularly those in vulnerable communities, to develop and implement practical climate solutions.

He also highlighted opportunities for youth in the green, blue and circular economies, stressing the need for stronger partnerships among government, the private sector, academic institutions and development partners to support youth-led initiatives.

“Let us move from climate awareness to climate action, from participation to leadership, and from innovative ideas to sustainable impact,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Muhammed Shuaibu, Country Focal Point and Team Lead, LCOY Nigeria, said building young people’s capacity was essential to addressing the effects of climate change on communities, livelihoods and the environment.

He said access to finance remained critical to translating climate commitments into practical interventions, while urging young people to apply global climate knowledge to local challenges.

Shuaibu commended ActionAid Nigeria for its support, saying its collaboration with partners across the six geopolitical zones had strengthened the visibility and impact of youth climate initiatives. (NAN)

FUA/TAK

Edited by Tosin Kolade