By DANJUMA AMODU
Media professionals, climate advocates and civil society leaders have called for more robust climate journalism, gender-responsive reporting and stronger public accountability as Nigeria prepares for deeper engagement in global climate governance.
The call was made on Wednesday at a two-day media training in Abuja on “Climate Governance and Gender Mainstreaming in the UNFCCC and Minamata Conventions,” organised in collaboration with the Women Environmental Programme.
“Journalists are not just storytellers; they are agenda-setters, watchdogs, educators, and catalysts for change. When the media is empowered with knowledge, context, and clarity, society benefits from better governance, stronger advocacy, and more inclusive decision-making.”
— Michael Simire, Publisher, EnviroNews Nigeria
Opening the conference, Michael Simire, Publisher of EnviroNews Nigeria and Executive Director of Advocacy and Campaigns for Sustainability, said the timing was critical as climate impacts across Nigeria grow more severe and demand informed public engagement.
Simire said journalists played a central role in shaping public understanding of climate change, environmental governance and sustainability policy. He added that the training aimed to deepen media understanding of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Minamata Convention on Mercury, while strengthening gender-sensitive environmental reporting.
He noted that women and girls remained disproportionately affected by climate change and mercury pollution, yet were underrepresented in environmental policy spaces.
“Integrating gender perspectives into climate and environmental reporting is not optional; it is essential for justice, equity, and effective solutions,” Simire said.
Delivering the keynote on behalf of the National Network Coordinator of the Climate and Sustainable Development Network, Doose Joanna Hannu said climate change was already affecting livelihoods and vulnerable communities across Africa.
“We are gathered because the future is being written in real time, and the media will decide how that future is understood,” Hannu said.
She stressed that while governments negotiated policies and scientists generated data, the media remained responsible for translating technical climate issues into language the public could understand and act upon.
Founder and Global Lead of the Women Environmental Programme, Priscilla Achakpa, said the media served as a bridge between scientific knowledge, policy discussions and public understanding.
“As we engage over the next two days, I encourage us all to use this platform to build stronger partnerships, deepen our knowledge, and renew our commitment to environmental justice and sustainable development,” Achakpa said.
Former House of Representatives member Sam Onuigbo highlighted the role of climate journalism in driving accountability and public mobilisation. He urged journalists to investigate climate financing, expose environmental corruption, amplify the voices of vulnerable communities and counter misinformation.
“Journalism is the bridge between scientific knowledge and public consciousness,” Onuigbo said.
He called on media organisations to invest in climate literacy, investigative reporting and dedicated environmental desks. Onuigbo also stressed the need for greater participation of women and youth in climate action, noting that both groups were disproportionately affected by climate-related disasters despite leading advocacy and resilience efforts.
“Climate action is no longer optional. The future of Nigeria’s development will depend significantly on how successfully it responds to the climate challenge today,” he said.
The conference brought together journalists, civil society organisations, climate advocates and development stakeholders to strengthen media capacity for climate governance reporting and gender mainstreaming in environmental policy.
