On the 12th of October, we had a remarkable event take place in Abuja in collaboration with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID). This event – Pre-COP29 Stakeholders brought together over 60 journalists, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) leaders, and advocates to set the stage for Nigeria’s climate action narrative ahead of COP29 in Azerbaijan.
There were many standout moments from the 3 hour event and also why they matter for Nigeria’s climate future, and we will take a deep dive into them…
Rallying Call: “We either win in unison or perish in isolation”
The event began with a powerful statement from Daniel Oladoja, the Country Lead for the Global Shapers Community, who didn’t mince words. “COP29 is a call for solidarity. We either win in unison or perish in isolation,” he declared, setting a resolute tone for the event. He stressed that beyond discussions, there is an urgent need for organized action to harness Nigeria’s collective climate agenda.
His words highlighted a key theme for the event: that real, lasting change can only come through unified, strategic efforts. For Daniel, the emphasis was clear—climate finance would be essential to achieving Nigeria’s green objectives, and such an effort would demand unwavering cooperation between storytellers, advocates, and policymakers alike.
Hannah Omokhaye, Project Manager at SustyVibes, followed with a poignant reminder of the critical role that collaboration plays in climate action. “Journalists and CSOs are two sides of the same coin,” she asserted. “We need each other to drive the changes we want to see.” Hannah’s words carried an encouraging message that resonated with the room, urging both media and CSOs to break down silos, align their objectives, and amplify each other’s work for a broader, more effective impact.
Keynote: Charting Nigeria’s Climate Course
The keynote address was delivered by Amara Nwankpa, Director of Partnership and Development at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, who took the audience on a journey through Nigeria’s climate landscape. With a clear vision and profound insight, Amara outlined the importance of Nigeria framing its own climate narrative—one that aligns with the country’s unique energy transition goals. He argued for an incremental shift towards renewable energy, rather than a radical break from fossil fuels. “The energy transition is a marathon, not a sprint,” Amara emphasized. “Gas is our transition fuel, but we must plan for a diversified future. We must decide now if we will pivot from fossil fuels or spread our energy portfolio.”
Amara also highlighted the need for alignment among Nigeria’s stakeholders, urging them to form a cohesive national platform ahead of COP29. “Nigeria must present a united front in Baku,” he said. “This is our chance to influence the global narrative and ensure that our interests are prioritized.” With his address, Amara inspired the audience to consider not just the urgency of climate action, but the strategic planning needed to make it sustainable and beneficial for Nigeria.
Panel Session: Strategizing for COP29
Moderated by Daniel Oladoja, the panel discussion brought together some of Nigeria’s leading climate voices, each offering their unique perspectives on the path to COP29.
Lovelyn Andrawus, Director at the Kwaji Environmental Foundation, was the first to speak, passionately advocating for climate adaptation as Nigeria’s top priority. “Africa contributes the least to global emissions but suffers the most from its effects,” she stated, underscoring the need for resilience-building and access to climate finance. Lovelyn urged the audience to view adaptation as an immediate, life-saving necessity, not just a long-term goal. “We can’t wait for global policies to catch up,” she said. “We must act now to protect our people and our future.”
Gift Nwamadu, Chief of Staff at Clean Tech Hub, emphasized the critical role CSOs play in advancing climate action. She pointed to grassroots organizations already driving local adaptation projects and called for increased funding to expand these efforts. “CSOs are the advocates and accountability agents,” she remarked. “We amplify the voices of vulnerable communities and push for the resources they need to survive climate impacts.” Gift shared success stories from Clean Tech Hub, such as manhole cover installations in flood-prone areas, to illustrate the tangible impacts of localized solutions.
Michael Etta, a journalist at EnviroNews, spoke candidly about the role of the media in climate advocacy, emphasizing the need for capacity-building among journalists. “The media has the power to shape society, but many journalists lack the knowledge to report effectively on climate issues,” he noted. Michael highlighted the importance of training journalists on COP reporting, enabling them to make complex climate issues accessible to the public. He called for greater investment in journalist education, asserting, “You can’t report what you don’t understand.”
Roundtable Dialogues: Building a Framework for Action
The event’s roundtable discussions sparked lively debates on climate financing, best practices for COP reporting, and the importance of collaboration. Tolulope Gbenro, a climate consultant, addressed the issue of climate finance with refreshing honesty, calling it both a pathway and a challenge. “Climate finance is available, but tracking its use remains a major hurdle,” she said. She urged CSOs and journalists to demand transparency in climate financing and to hold policymakers accountable for ensuring that funds reach the communities that need them most.
In the session on COP reporting, Nicholas Adeniyi, CJID Project Manager, highlighted the importance of understanding COP’s diplomatic nature. He advised journalists to familiarize themselves with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and to develop innovative storytelling techniques to make climate issues relatable. “Effective reporting can drive public engagement and support for climate action,” he emphasized.
Concluding Remarks: Paving the Way Forward
In her closing remarks, Maryam Ahmad, Senior Analyst (Communications, Partnerships and Campaigns) at Gatefield, left the audience with a call to action that was both practical and inspiring. She encouraged journalists and CSOs to view each other as allies in the fight against climate change. “We are stronger together,” she said. “Let’s use the connections we’ve made here to continue driving climate action in Nigeria.” Her words captured the spirit of the day, echoing the commitment and optimism that had filled the room.
A Promising Path to COP29
The Pre-COP29 Stakeholders Hangout was a landmark event, not just for the voices it brought together, but for the collaborative spirit it fostered. Feedback from attendees highlighted the event as a unique platform for shared learning, mutual inspiration, and potential partnerships. As Nigeria prepares for COP29, the conversations sparked here will undoubtedly fuel new initiatives, drive accountability, and strengthen the nation’s climate agenda.
In the words of one participant, “We leave here not just as individuals, but as a united front, ready to amplify Nigeria’s voice on the global stage.” And with that, we believe that Nigeria has stepped closer to COP29, armed with a powerful coalition of changemakers determined to turn vision into action and aspiration into reality.