Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has urged the media to take a more proactive role in addressing Nigeria’s environmental challenges, stressing that responsible reporting and sustained public awareness are essential to protecting the country’s ecological future.
Speaking at a media engagement workshop in Abuja, Lawal described journalists and digital communicators as critical partners in tackling climate change, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, noting that the media remains central to shaping public understanding at a time of increasing ecological pressure.
He highlighted key environmental threats facing Nigeria, including desertification in the North, flooding and erosion in the South-East and South-South, oil pollution in the Niger Delta, deforestation and the broader impact of climate change on livelihoods and food security.
Lawal said that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Ministry of Environment has intensified efforts to promote sustainability alongside economic growth, citing initiatives such as the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project and the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, which have restored over 1.14 million hectares of degraded land and supported the planting of more than 1.5 million trees nationwide.
The minister, however, noted that environmental issues are often underreported despite their direct link to agriculture, public health and economic stability, urging journalists to adopt data-driven and solutions-oriented approaches that highlight both challenges and innovations.
He also encouraged media practitioners to leverage digital platforms to engage young Nigerians and amplify climate action, while reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to providing access to environmental data and resources to support effective reporting.
Lawal stressed that the role of the media extends beyond reporting, noting that the narratives shaped today can influence behaviour, guide policy decisions and mobilise collective action toward a cleaner, more resilient Nigeria.
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