The Necessity of climate change and environmental education curriculum in Nigeria’s Basic Educational System

Abstract

The impact of past environmental crises has mostly been local or regional. However, the challenges of climate change are global in contrast. It is believed that one of the ways of preventing this global challenge is through education. As the world grapple with the challenges of global warming and climate change, attention is shifting to climate change education as a way of increasing awareness and behavioural change. This study examined the necessity of climate change and environmental education curriculum in Nigeria’s Basic Educational System. This study used desk review of existing literature and online materials which were analyzed using content analysis method. The result of the findings reveal that Nigeria has a very large youthful population that are exposed to climate risk and hazard. Climate change portends a serious threat to poverty eradication and sustainable development in general, and the  achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria. Nigeria can thus leverage on the size and youthfulness of its population to harness the entrepreneurship opportunities presented by climate change and global warming issues. The findings of the study reveals that the introduction of climate change and environmental education curriculum will help Nigeria strengthen its education system’s resilience to climate change and empower its large population of children and youth to lead environmental action and drive national transformation for a more sustainable and lifesustaining future. Based on the findings, the study recommended the need to solicit the cooperation of the stakeholders and ensure that the curriculum is translated into Nigerian local languages.