The Ministry of Environment, in partnership with the First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), unveils the Environment Club and Environment Society for a cleaner and healthier nation.
The First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu launched the club on Friday at the State House Banquet Hall Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion marks a significant step toward promoting youth empowerment, job creation, and environmental sustainability nationwide.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal said the club and society initiative, which was initiated by Mrs Tinubu, was a transformative intervention that aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He stated that the establishment of the environment club and environment society in secondary schools and tertiary institutions was aimed at reawakening the consciousness of Nigerian communities toward environmental sanitation.
According to him, it will also help harness the energy of young people as agents of positive change.
He explained that the clubs would focus on helping the nation tackle the severe waste management crisis driven by inadequate infrastructure, weak enforcement, and widespread negative attitudes toward proper waste disposal.
The minister added that environmental hazards caused by untidy surroundings had resulted in rampant pollution, serious public health risks, and widespread environmental degradation.
“A key contributing factor is the limited access to structured environmental education, particularly among young people, as a result, awareness remains low, and unsustainable.
“With the establishment of this environment club and environment society,
habits such as indiscriminate littering and open burning of waste will be erradicated through public awareness and cleanliness.
“This clubs aimed at advancing environmental awareness; promoting climate action and encouraging sustainability practices across
schools, communities, and youth networks, “Lawal said.
He mentioned the activities of the clubs to include tree planting; recycling projects; clean-up drives in schools and
neighborhoods; peer-to-peer awareness on climate change and safe waste disposal.
“The launch of the environment club and society will significantly enhance the ministry’s reach, deepen
environmental literacy and support ongoing national efforts to promote climate resilience and sustainable development.
“Finally, let me take this opportunity to invite us all to work assiduously towards the realisation of the Renewed
Hope Agenda of president Tinubu which focuses on clean and sustainable future.”
The leadership structure of the clubs and society, according to the minister is as follows: National Marshal: Minister of Environment, represented in each State by the ministry’ desk officer.
State Marshal: the Commissioner for Environment, Local Government Marshal: Local Government Chairmen, Supervisors of Environment in each LG shall serve as Assistant Marshal and are to coordinate the club and society activities.
He further said that each states of the federation including the FTC would have its own chapter of the club and societies in order to take the environmental awareness across the nation.
The first lady, who was a former teacher and biologist, expressed her gladness at the number of students and youths who turned up to be part of the environmental positive change makers.
She stated that the environment club and environment society would help develop a generation of young Nigerians committed to environmental preservation, biodiversity conservation, and the sustainable use of resources.
“I am particularly delighted that this initiative has come to life through the engagement between my office and the Ministry of Environment. This initiative is both timely and visionary.
“It comes at a period when the global community is increasingly calling for collective action to address the growing challenges of climate change, pollution, and unsustainable consumption of natural resources.
“Nigeria must not be left behind, and through this initiative, we are demonstrating our readiness to act,” Mrs Tinubu said.
She further said that the clubs aimed at cultivating a national mindset that prioritised ecological responsibility, fostering alternative livelihoods and entrepreneurial opportunities for our youth.
“The motto of these clubs, “Go Green Today for a Greener Tomorrow,” captures the spirit of sustainability and collective responsibility.
“Through these clubs and societies, our students will be at the forefront of a national movement to sanitise and protect our environment from plastic waste and other hazardous materials.
“Members of the Environment Club in senior secondary schools will lead efforts to keep their schools and communities clean, promote recycling, plant trees, and discourage the use of plastics.
“They will become young champions of climate awareness, inspiring their peers and families to take action.
“For our tertiary institutions, the Environment Society Nigeria will go even further, leading clean-up exercises, especially along shorelines and beaches, participating in reforestation projects, and conducting advocacy on sustainable practices.
” Following today’s launch, the 36 states are expected to launch their state chapters of the Environment Club and the Environment Society,” Mrs Tinubu said.
She also said that the initiative aaligned losely with the vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda which prioritised sustainability, inclusive growth, and empowering young Nigerians.
“The circular economy represents an opportunity to rethink how we live and produce, one where nothing is wasted, and everything is valued.
“I am confident that our young people will rise to this challenge and lead Nigeria toward a greener and more sustainable future.
“I commend the Honourable Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, and his team for their commitment to this vision.
“I also thank our teachers, principals, and university administrators who will serve as mentors and coordinators for these clubs and societies.
“Your guidance will help our young people translate this vision into lasting impact.
“To our students, you are the true champions of this cause. Take pride in your environment. Be creative, be bold, and lead with purpose. Remember: the future is green, if we make it so.
“At this juncture, I hereby officially launch The Environment Club, Nigeria, and The Environment Society, Nigeria, coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the state commissioners for Environment, to the glory of God and to the benefit of mankind.”
Some of the participants also shared their experiences.
Ezennamdi Onyedikachi, a student of Government Secondary School, Asokoto, said she was happy to be part of the club, noting that she had learnt a lot about the environment and the importance of taking care of it.
Another participant, Osato Otoide, stated that the club was very important to her.
She said that, ” with what I have been taught here, I’ll go back to plant trees and teach my fellow students on ways to keep their environment clean.”
