Abuja: African International Documentary Festival Foundation (AFIDFF), a non-governmental organisation, has successfully trained 100 youths in a carbon market initiative aimed at fostering inclusivity and sustainable development. The Director-General of AFIDFF, Mrs. Malame Mangzha, inaugurated the event, emphasizing the importance of this initiative in promoting community leadership aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the training involved 70 youths from the local community and 30 UNESCO World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) for 2025. The program, themed ‘Sukur Heritage, Carbon Market Initiative; Empowering Communities, Balancing the Carbon’, focused on sustainable development, cultural heritage preservation, and environmental education. It was conducted in partnership with the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) and other entities like the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Nigeria Tourism Development Agency, and Nigerian Red Cross.
The initiative aims to provide eco-friendly livelihoods for community members, promote responsible tourism, and enhance environmental stewardship through climate education, tree planting, and awareness of carbon market opportunities. Mangzha highlighted that the training would empower youths with practical skills in sustainable livelihoods, cultural heritage preservation, and environmental protection. The program is expected to strengthen community participation in conserving the Sukur Landscape and inspire local initiatives in tree planting, waste management, and climate action.
Dr. Christopher Nwabuike from the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) elaborated on the concept of carbon credit, describing it as a reward for removing emissions from the atmosphere through climate-compliant practices. He emphasized the importance of building the capacity of the Sukur Community to understand the green economy and improve their livelihood by earning carbon credits. A cooperative platform has been registered for the community to facilitate their earnings, empowering the youths to better their livelihood.
Nwabuike outlined ways to earn carbon credits, such as encouraging smart farming, agro-forestry, and carbon sequestration in the soil. He stressed the importance of behavioral change, including planting more trees and adopting practices that enhance soil carbon content, to validate earning carbon credits. He explained that the initiative is the first of its kind in the country, and Sukur Community was chosen due to significant environmental degradation affecting agricultural production.
NAN reports that the training is part of the 2025 UNESCO WHV Initiative, with the theme ‘Sukur’s Legacy; Empowering Communities through Climate Action and Sustainability.’ The program aims to strengthen knowledge and skills in traditional crafts, architecture, and oral heritage to sustain Sukur’s cultural identity and World Heritage value.