Abuja: Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations in Abuja have urged media organisations to invest in climate literacy, aiming to move beyond basic weather reporting toward in-depth, solution-oriented journalism. The NGOs made the call at a two-day Media Training Conference on ‘Climate Governance and Gender Mainstreaming in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Minamata Conventions’.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the training was organised by EnviroNews Advocacy and Campaigns for Sustainability (Endvocas) in collaboration with the Women Environmental Programme (WEP). Rep. Sam Onuigbo, a former two-time member of the House of Representatives, highlighted the media’s role as a critical bridge between scientific knowledge and public action, emphasizing the need for specialised reporting to counter misinformation and drive accountability. Onuigbo, who is also the sponsor of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act 2021, urged the media to conduct investigative reports and establish specialised environmental desks capable of sustaining informed public engagement.
Onuigbo further explained, “Journalism is the bridge between scientific knowledge and public consciousness. Scientists can publish reports, legislators can enact laws, and governments can formulate policies, but without journalists who translate technical realities into human understanding, public mobilisation becomes difficult. Climate journalism extends far beyond reporting temperature increases or covering international climate summits.”
He elaborated that climate journalism involves holding governments accountable for climate commitments, investigating climate financing and environmental corruption, and amplifying the experiences of vulnerable communities. He also stressed the importance of addressing toxic pollution and hazardous substances, referencing the Minamata Convention on Mercury as a significant international framework in this regard.
Mr. Michael Simire, Publisher of EnviroNews Nigeria, highlighted the urgency of informed and responsible climate governance as climate impacts intensify across Nigeria. Simire stated, “This is where the media stands tall. Journalists are not just storytellers; they are agenda setters, watchdogs, educators, and catalysts for change. The narratives you shape influence public perception, policy direction, and community action.”
Mr. Steve Abu, the National Network Coordinator of the Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet), emphasized that climate change is a current reality in Nigeria and across Africa. He stressed the media’s critical role in translating complex climate issues into public understanding and fostering meaningful conversations.
Dr. Priscilla Achakpa, Founder and Global Lead of the Women Environmental Programme, underscored the necessity of going beyond headlines in environmental communication. She highlighted that climate change is a pressing issue manifesting in various forms such as rising temperatures, floods, and food insecurity, and called for the media to play a transformative role by providing informed and consistent environmental reporting.
Achakpa concluded by emphasizing that the fight against climate change and pollution requires collective efforts beyond government actions, urging journalists to amplify voices for climate justice, environmental protection, and sustainable development.