ActionAid Nigeria has urged young people to take leading roles in driving climate action, strengthening accountability and ensuring the implementation of Nigeria’s climate commitments.
Blessing Ifemenam, Programme Adviser, Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA II) Project, ActionAid Nigeria, made the call at the National Conference of Youth on Climate Change (LCOY-Youth COP 2026) on Thursday in Abuja.
The conference, organised by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with the German Cooperation (GIZ) and other partners, was themed: “Advancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) Implementation: Youth-Led AI and Climate Finance Capacity Building for a Resilient Nigeria”.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference aimed to empower young people to showcase ideas, innovations and insights while engaging policymakers and other stakeholders on climate action.
Ifemenam said the conference came at a critical time as Nigeria worked towards implementing its third Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0).
She said young people should be recognised as leaders, advocates, innovators and decision-makers rather than mere participants in climate discussions.
According to her, climate action must be anchored on justice, human rights, equality and accountability, given the disproportionate effects of climate change on vulnerable communities.
“The climate crisis disproportionately affects communities that have contributed least to global emissions, particularly young people, women, girls and other marginalised populations.
“Government, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector must ensure that young people have access to the information, resources and platforms required to influence climate policies,” she said.
Ifemenam said ActionAid was committed to strengthening youth movements, promoting climate-accountable governance and supporting community-led resilience.
She added that the organisation would continue to advocate a just transition that protects livelihoods while creating inclusive opportunities.
On the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in climate action, she said technology could support innovation, evidence generation and advocacy.
She, however, stressed that its application must be inclusive, accessible and responsive to community needs.
“Innovation should not deepen existing inequalities; it should help us address them,” she said.
Ifemenam expressed concern that climate finance and public investments were not adequately reaching communities and young people who needed them most.
She also called for stronger collaboration among government, civil society, development partners and the private sector to ensure accountability for climate commitments.
The programme adviser urged stakeholders to strengthen links between youth-led solutions and policy processes to ensure that young people’s contributions translated into tangible policy influence.
“This conference should go beyond statements of commitment to identify practical actions young people can lead, influence and monitor.
“Let us move from consultation to influence, from commitments to accountability, and from youth participation to youth-led transformation,” she said.
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