Stakeholders have commended the official launch of the FABE Institute of Sustainability (FIS), an initiative aimed at promoting environmental awareness and sustainability education across Africa.
The institute was launched on Thursday in Lagos by the Foundation for a Better Environment (FABE International) in partnership with Deloitte Africa.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Temitope Okunnu, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of FABE Foundation International, described the launch as the realization of a long-held dream to promote a culture of environmental sustainability among Nigerians.
“Today, we are celebrating more than just the launch of the Institute of Sustainability; we are celebrating the realisation of a vision that began almost 10 years ago,” Okunnu said.
“It began in classrooms, school upcycled eco-gardens, and communities where we taught children that sustainability is not just a concept but a lifestyle.
“When we started teaching climate action in schools through EcoSchoolsNG, we dreamed of raising a generation that understands and acts for the planet.
“The FABE Institute of Sustainability is that dream come alive — an e-learning platform designed to make climate literacy, circular economy, and sustainability education accessible to everyone.
“It is built for Nigerians, by Nigerians, to help solve global problems locally. When people understand the why and how of sustainable living, real change begins.”
She noted that the institute, powered by Deloitte Africa, is Nigeria’s first sustainability-focused e-learning platform and will serve as a bridge between knowledge and action.
Okunnu added that learners would have access to courses designed by African experts in waste management, renewable energy, sustainable finance, biodiversity, and green enterprise.
“To Deloitte Africa, thank you for believing in this dream and investing in the power of education to build a sustainable future,” she said.
In her keynote address, Mrs. Abena Biney, Chief Sustainability Officer, Deloitte West Africa, said the partnership aligns with Deloitte’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment to promote sustainability across the continent.
“It is my utmost pleasure as we celebrate the launch of the FABE Institute of Sustainability. This is a milestone in advancing climate change education and sustainability awareness across our region,” Biney said.
“On behalf of Deloitte, I want to express how proud we are to be part of this journey. We believe sustainability is not just a cause but a responsibility — one that begins with informed people.”
Biney emphasized the need to address Africa’s “green skills gap,” noting that the institute would help build the technical, practical, and managerial expertise required to drive sustainable development.
“Across Africa, there’s growing recognition of the need to transition towards cleaner and more sustainable systems in energy, agriculture, and finance.
“We have the passion and ideas, but we need more people with the technical and practical skills to turn those ideas into lasting solutions.
“Through our partnership with FABE Foundation, we see sustainability not just as CSR but as a capability imperative,” she added.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Mrs. Titilayo Oshodi, praised FABE Foundation for the initiative.
“I congratulate the FABE Foundation on this remarkable achievement. The FIS represents an idea whose time has come,” Oshodi said.
“The institute is not just a building or virtual platform; it demonstrates how learning can drive a future where progress and the planet are not in competition but in collaboration.
“In Lagos, this is the spirit that drives our circular economy agenda — building a city that not only anticipates change but adapts to it.”
She emphasized that sustainable development is not a luxury but a necessity and a pathway to shared prosperity.
“The FABE Institute and its partners serve as a bridge between knowledge and impact — a place where young Africans, innovators, and policymakers can meet at the intersection of ideas and collaboration.
“Sustainability is not just a cause; it is a culture,” she said.
Dr. Desmond Majekodunmi, Executive Director of the Lekki Urban Forest and Animal Sanctuary Initiative, also lauded the initiative, describing it as a vital step toward deepening environmental awareness.
“The launch of the FABE Institute marks the beginning of a sustainability revolution,” Majekodunmi said.
“Through this platform, environmental education will reach schools and communities, fostering awareness that will spread across generations.
“This consciousness will awaken the collective responsibility needed to drive the sustainability revolution that FABE has begun in Africa.”
