Oyindamola, a 200-level Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) student, stared blankly when asked about climate change.
At first, she said, “I don’t know,” but after a few minutes, with more uncertainty, she responded, “Maybe when the atmosphere has been tampered with in such a way that it now affects the weather.“
Her initial response suggested a rough understanding, but misconceptions became apparent as she explained.
“Why is it that in some parts of the country, these places are extremely cold, and in some parts, there is so much heat?” she asked. It seemed rhetorical, but then she answered, “Look at Lagos, for example. There are more industrial activities there, and we have a weakened atmosphere, so the sun’s rays affect them more. But in Taraba State, for instance, there is not much civilization, so they don’t have heat but suffer extreme cold.“
Widespread Misconceptions
Oyindamola’s views are not uncommon. Across Nigeria, based on research, many young people are either misinformed or unaware of climate change, its causes, and its impacts. In 2020, Statista estimated that six out of ten Nigerians had not heard about climate change. Even among those who recognize it, misinformation is common. For instance, Bola, another 200-level student, described climate change as “changes in the atmosphere and the skies.”
When asked if it affected Nigeria, she answered, “Of course,” but admitted she didn’t know how. Similarly, Aishat, another student, initially unfamiliar with the term, described it as “the actions of people affecting the ecosystem.”
Across campus, a major misconception is equating climate change with unpredictable weather rather than long-term shifts in climate patterns. Oyindamola, for instance, attributed the delayed rains and the late arrival of ‘agbalumo’ (star apple) to climate change. “I heard there should be rain, but there is none. If it’s the rainy season, ‘agbalumo’ should be coming out. So I think what’s causing it is climate change.” Saheed, a 500-level student, said, “I’ve heard of harmattan not coming in the right season or the rainy season being delayed.”
Some respondents believed trees worsen climate change rather than protect the environment. Oyindamola, comparing OAU’s weather to her hometown, Ife Wara, wrongly blamed the excessive vegetation on campus as the cause of its hotness. “Harmattan in my area is not so severe, unlike in OAU. The sun here is unbearable,” she said. When asked why, she replied, “This place has more trees than my area, where there is less vegetation and industrial activity.”
Others linked climate change to religion. “God has structured everything this way. In the Bible, Elijah prayed, and there was no rain. As Christians, we can pray to God, and He will answer. Some say we should plant trees, but I don’t buy the idea as long as you have beautiful shrubs around your house.” Although many recognized human actions as a major driver, offering solutions was challenging. Bola correctly cited bush burning and industrial emissions but suggested, “People should gather waste until someone comes to take it to the incinerator.“
Doubt About Nigeria’s Climate Crisis
Amidst rising temperatures, flooding, and desertification, some Nigerian students downplayed climate change’s impact on the country. Saheed admitted he had never seen news about its effects on Nigeria. “It’s more of a problem in other countries,” he said. Paul agreed, saying, “We don’t really have a climate change problem in Nigeria. Our weather is still decent compared to some Asian and European countries.“
But while these misconceptions run rampant on campus and beyond, experts warn that Nigeria is already feeling the effects. Emmanuel Kilaso, Founder of Securecycle Environmental and Climate Change Initiative, emphasized the urgency of awareness. “Many Nigerians see climate change as a Western issue, failing to recognize its direct impact.“
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) reports that Nigeria’s average temperature has risen by 1.0°C since the 1960s, with extreme weather events like excessive rainfalls and heatwaves becoming more frequent. Desertification in northern Nigeria eats up around 350,000 hectares of Nigeria’s arable land annually, affecting over 30 million people and posing a significant threat to food security. On the southward end, coastal erosion also eats 20-30 meters of Nigeria’s shorelines annually, displacing riverine communities. Yet, these realities remain distant for many Nigerians due to low awareness and misconceptions.
Bridging the Climate Awareness Gap
Kilaso emphasised that this misinformation is a significant barrier to climate action in Nigeria. “Many Nigerians associate climate change with unrelated issues like oil spills or think it’s solely caused by bush burning,” he said, adding that deforestation, gas flaring, industrial emissions, and poor waste management are key contributors. He further explained that removing this barrier would require tackling misinformation and making climate science accessible and relevant. However, the lack of climate education in schools and media remains a concern.
Most interviewed students acknowledged learning about climate change but agreed that more work is needed. Elijah added, “More awareness is needed because most people in rural areas don’t even know about climate change.“
Oyindamola noted that, “some organizations bridge the gap between the government and the people to create awareness about climate change, but I haven’t seen any agency doing that here (in OAU). We need more of them.”
While some tertiary institutions in the country, like UNILAG, UNILORIN, and ABUAD, have Green Clubs, many do not. However, one club with a broader reach is Plogging Nigeria. The club combines public action of ‘plogging’—exercising while picking up waste—with educational programs like the Greenswitch Academy. Beyond campus, initiatives, like Protect Our Planet (POP), promote climate education with a broader audience, reaching over 40,000 people since 2021. Other organizations, such as the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, spearhead initiatives like creating conservation clubs, organizing school visits, and engaging communities. These efforts are crucial in combating misinformation and providing students with reliable information.
However, Kilaso stressed that more must be done. “To change this mindset, campaigns should emphasize how climate change exacerbates local challenges, from droughts in the North to rising sea levels in coastal regions.”
Government and Media Urged to Take Action
Many students criticized the media’s inaction. Bola said, “Climate change is occasionally discussed in lectures but rarely featured in mainstream news.” Aishat added, “I don’t think they are even serious about climate change in Nigeria.”
Kilaso called for integrating climate education into school curricula and increasing media coverage. “The media must prioritize climate stories and link them to issues like food security, economic instability, and public health,” he said, suggesting that social media influencers could help spread awareness through engaging content. Alongside classroom learning, he advocates for engaging the students in practical actions such as tree planting and waste recycling to reinforce learning and encourage proactive behavior.
Editor’s Note: The full names of respondents have been withheld to protect their privacy.