The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), has concluded a three-day foundational training on effective reporting of the environment and climate change.
The training, held from August 18 to 20, 2026, at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, featured practical presentations designed to strengthen students’ understanding of environmental and climate change issues and improve their capacity to report them effectively.
While delivering his welcome address, the Provost of NIJ, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, said the training was designed to bridge the gap between theory and practical experience in environmental reporting.
Adefaye highlighted Nigeria’s environmental challenges, including the drying up of Lake Chad, which has displaced communities and contributed to conflicts in other parts of the country.
He also criticised the excessive focus of tabloids on politics at the expense of environmental issues, urging the students to help change the narrative through effective environmental reporting.
He described the trainees as fortunate to learn from experienced environmental experts, noting that such opportunities were not readily available to earlier generations of journalists.
Speakers at the training examined major environmental challenges, including climate change, pollution, desertification, deforestation, waste management and environmental degradation.
Philip Jakor, Executive Director of RDI, who spoke on “The Environment: Our Life,” explained that the environment provides humans with shelter, food and water, sustains life and promotes good health.
He, however, stressed that human activities have contributed significantly to environmental degradation through industrialisation, dependence on fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, sludge discharge into rivers, deforestation, single-use plastics and indiscriminate waste disposal.
Jakor highlighted environmental catastrophes such as melting glaciers, high temperatures, forest fires, desertification, flooding, typhoons, tsunamis and earthquakes.
He identified tree planting, reducing plastic use, conserving energy, environmental education and enforcing environmental regulations as important measures for protecting the environment.
“The most dangerous waste is medical waste,” he said.
Development expert Samuel Orovwuje, speaking on “Climate Change and the Environment,” described climate change as changes in temperature, rainfall patterns, sea levels and other environmental conditions.
He explained that climate change is largely driven by increasing greenhouse gas emissions from human activities and stressed that it is not only an environmental issue but also an economic, political, health and social challenge.
Orovwuje identified volcanic eruptions, solar radiation and ocean circulation as natural causes of climate change, while human causes include the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial pollution, improper waste disposal and agricultural activities.
He encouraged industries and individuals to plant trees, use public transportation, recycle waste, conserve water and support environmental policies.
Speaking on “Extractive Dependence,” Barrister Chima Williams said Nigeria is heavily dependent on extractive resources, adding that forests are also treated as extractive resources through activities such as timber production.
He warned that the country’s overdependence on natural resource extraction makes the environment “bleed,” stressing that Nigeria cannot achieve a balanced environment while continuing to depend heavily on extractive resources.
Faith Nwadishi, who spoke on “Desertification,” said people often confuse drought with desertification.
She identified drought, land degradation, desertification and coastal erosion as environmental concepts journalists frequently mix up.
According to her, desertification is driven by climate change, overdraining, pollution pressure and weak land-use governance.
She identified Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Zamfara and Adamawa as states significantly affected by desertification.
Anthony Oligbo, a lecturer at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) and founder of Ecozone, an environmental sustainability club at the institution, spoke on the topic “Deforestation.
Oligbo described the environment as the surroundings in which humans, animals and other organisms live and interact, comprising both biotic and abiotic components.
He traced the history of modern environmental awareness to Rachel Carson’s 1962 book, Silent Spring, which raised awareness about pollution and the harmful effects of pesticides.
He explained that forests absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, regulate the climate, store carbon and help prevent soil erosion.
Oligbo identified tree planting, sustainable farming, the use of solar energy, gas and electricity instead of firewood and charcoal, and community education as measures for tackling deforestation.
He also encouraged journalists to report environmental issues through different platforms and formats, including short films, documentaries, books, music and indigenous languages.
The second day of the training featured classroom sessions and a field trip to Okun Alfa, a climate-impacted waterfront community in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos. The field visit provided the students with an opportunity to observe firsthand some of the environmental challenges affecting the community.
The third day of the training commenced with a session by Anthony Akpan, President of the Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE), who spoke on “Waste Management.”
Akpan stressed that waste separation is the first and most important step in effective waste management. He recommended a three-bin system for organic waste, recyclable materials and non-recyclable or hazardous items.
He explained that organic waste could include food waste, peels and garden trimmings, while recyclable materials include plastics, glass, metal and paper.
Akpan advised participants to clearly label waste bins and place them close to areas where waste is generated, such as kitchens.
He also called for greater recognition of waste specialists and urged journalists to improve their knowledge of waste management and environmental issues.
Mfreke Asigbe, Executive Director of Cypress Global Health, discussed the environmental challenges facing women, explaining how climate change, extreme weather and environmental degradation can affect the health, safety and dignity of women and girls.
She noted that women often bear the responsibility of caring for children, sick persons and older people, making their burden greater during disasters and environmental emergencies.
Asigbe also highlighted the difficulties women may face during pregnancy, childbirth and menstruation, particularly when heatwaves, flooding, displacement and disruptions to healthcare services occur.
Rachael Greenwood, a human rights and international development professional, spoke on “International Treaties and Agreements on Climate Change,” tracing the development of global efforts to address environmental challenges.
She explained how the recognition of the environment as a global concern evolved through major international agreements, beginning with the 1972 Stockholm Conference, followed by the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
Greenwood also discussed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which aims to stabilise greenhouse gas emissions.
She highlighted the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), which recognises that while all countries have a role in addressing climate change, their responsibilities differ based on their circumstances and contributions.
Olaosebikan Olajuwon, Deputy Clerk and Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State House of Assembly, spoke on “Environmental Laws in Lagos.”
Olajuwon stressed the importance of understanding environmental laws and the mandates of institutions responsible for addressing pollution, water, air quality, drainage and other environmental concerns.
He highlighted key environmental institutions in Lagos State, including the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), Lagos State Wastewater Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO), Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), and the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources.
He urged journalists covering environmental issues to understand relevant laws and institutional mandates, visit affected communities and avoid speculation.
Paul Ashibel, a communication consultant, spoke on the importance of digital platforms in climate change reporting.
Ashibel identified Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok as important channels for distributing environmental reports, videos and other multimedia content to wider audiences.
He also stressed the need for journalists to use verification tools to ensure accuracy and combat misinformation, identifying reverse image search, Google Maps, Google Earth and official government websites as useful tools.
The three-day training brought together students, mainly from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), alongside participants from Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) and Lagos State University (LASU). The training provided participants with practical knowledge of major environmental and climate issues while emphasising the critical role of journalists in promoting accurate, evidence-based and impactful reporting
Participants were encouraged to understand environmental issues, verify information, engage affected communities and use different reporting formats and digital platforms to increase public awareness of environmental and climate challenges.
