The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for greater private-sector involvement in climate action to combat the devastating effects of climate change, particularly on children.
Highlighting the urgency of collective efforts, UNICEF stressed the need for coordinated action among key stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and communities, to address the wide-ranging impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.
Speaking at an event in Lagos to mark the 2024 World Children’s Day themed “The Voices, Today: Empowering Children and Young People to Lead Climate Action,” UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office for Southwest Nigeria, Celine Lafoucriere, emphasized the critical need for government policies that enable private sector participation in climate initiatives.
Lafoucriere revealed that 100 million children in Nigeria are vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with the country ranked among the top three most impacted globally. “Climate change is a present reality for Nigeria,” she noted, citing its devastating manifestations in flooding, desertification, and extreme weather conditions, which have resulted in loss of lives, displacement, and disruption of livelihoods.
She underscored the importance of empowering children to lead climate change conversations by providing them with the necessary support and a safe environment to thrive. Lafoucriere also called for the inclusion of climate education in Nigeria’s national curriculum, urging teachers to incorporate climate discussions into their lessons.
“Children are the future and deserve a voice. It is their right to be protected from the effects of climate change,” she said. “To achieve this, we must work collaboratively with governments, development partners, private sector actors, and communities. Together, we are stronger.”
The event featured students from various schools across Lagos, who lent their voices to climate action. UNICEF Ambassador Kate Henshaw also called for responsible waste disposal and increased efforts in plastic recycling, emphasizing the role of individual actions in addressing climate challenges.
Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, praised UNICEF’s commitment to children’s welfare, stressing that Nigerian children deserve the best opportunities for growth, protection, and participation in decisions that affect their future.
UNICEF reaffirmed its dedication to advocating for children’s rights, emphasizing the importance of shared-value partnerships between public and private sectors to drive climate action and create a sustainable future for generations to come.
