Niger State is taking proactive steps to address climate change by introducing a greening initiative in 123 primary schools. The program, which combines tree planting, practical agriculture, and climate change education, aims to transform school environments into hands-on learning spaces. This initiative, known as the 2024/2025 Greening Schools and Climate Change Education Intervention, is a collaboration between the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board and the Universal Basic Education Commission.
The initiative was formally launched at 123 Primary School in Minna, marking a significant step in the state's efforts to promote environmental sustainability and revive school farming. The program seeks to introduce pupils to practical ways of responding to climate change. Representing Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hadiza Mohammed, emphasized that the success of the initiative depends on the ability of participating schools to nurture and protect the seedlings until they mature.
Commissioner Mohammed stressed that the program must go beyond distributing and planting trees, urging school authorities to establish sustainable maintenance arrangements. This would ensure the trees survive and benefit present and future generations. The initiative's value lies not only in creating greener school compounds but also in the long-term economic, educational, and health benefits that properly maintained trees can provide. Economic trees can generate income for schools through the sale of fruits, while some produce can be made available for pupils' consumption.
To achieve these objectives, Mohammed advised school authorities to engage agricultural experts to determine suitable locations for planting trees, particularly windbreakers. These windbreakers are intended to protect school premises and agricultural plots from strong winds and storms. Pupils will be assigned responsibility for caring for the plants, either individually or in groups, under the supervision of teachers. This approach will encourage children to develop a sense of ownership, responsibility, and environmental consciousness.
The program also aims to help reverse the decline in school farming, which has diminished over the years. By exposing pupils to practical agricultural activities at an early age, the initiative seeks to equip them with skills that can support their livelihoods in the future and strengthen their understanding of food production. The seedlings being distributed comprise economic trees, including mango, guava, and pawpaw, alongside windbreaker species.
The Chairman of NSUBEB, Liman Ibrahim-Alhaji, stated that each participating school will receive 20 seedlings, comprising five economic trees and windbreakers. He urged head teachers and teachers to ensure that the seedlings are properly planted, protected, and nurtured. The initiative will contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change while creating greener, healthier, and safer learning environments for pupils.
The program is an opportunity to integrate environmental awareness and practical farming into the learning experience, allowing pupils to understand the relationship between nature, science, and everyday life. The approach, described as "STEAM Farming," is an educational model designed to expose pupils to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics through practical agricultural activities. The long-term impact of the initiative will depend on sustained commitment from school authorities, teachers, pupils, and government agencies.
Key points
- Niger State is turning 123 schools into green classrooms to educate pupils on environmental sustainability and practical agriculture.
- The initiative aims to promote environmental sustainability, revive school farming, and introduce pupils to practical ways of responding to climate change.
- The program's success depends on the ability of participating schools to nurture and protect the seedlings until they mature.
