The urgency of climate change and the pivotal role of young people in driving solutions took the spotlight at the Katsina Youth Climate Summit, KYCS 2025, held from August 20–21 at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina and virtually on Zoom.

Organized by the Youth Movement for SDGs led by Ojuoluwa Oluwatobiloba, the two-day summit brought together more than 340 participants, including youth leaders, climate advocates, policymakers, academics, private sector players, and community leaders.

Partners included the SDG Student Hub, Environmental Excellence Network, MSME Africa, among others.

The summit’s first day opened with a strong call for urgency and trust in climate communication. Speakers warned that without truthful and transparent messaging, innovative solutions risk being undermined by misinformation and “greenwashing.”

Discussions on climate-smart entrepreneurship encouraged young people to view environmental challenges as opportunities for business growth, guided by the principle of balancing people, planet, and profit. Similarly, sessions on design thinking emphasized that climate innovations must remain human-centered to be adaptable and scalable.

The threat of deforestation in northern Nigeria also came under the spotlight. Experts stressed that heavy dependence on firewood, coupled with land pressures, is a “ticking time bomb.” Proposed solutions included agroforestry, investment in alternative energy, improved forest management, and stricter enforcement of environmental policies.

Technology’s role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was also highlighted. While artificial intelligence, automation, and precision agriculture were recognized as powerful tools, participants cautioned that poor infrastructure and the digital divide could leave many communities behind if not addressed.

Youth-led innovation rounded off the day’s sessions, with speakers acknowledging challenges such as lack of mentorship, inadequate funding, and insecurity. However, participants agreed that starting small, working collaboratively, and tailoring solutions to local realities remain the most effective pathways forward.

The second day of the summit shifted from dialogue to practical strategies. Young people were challenged to see themselves not as the leaders of tomorrow but as today’s climate leaders responding to what many described as a generational emergency.

In a session on waste management and recycling, plastic, nylon, and cartons were presented as valuable raw materials for new products, underscoring recycling as both an environmental necessity and a source of income.

Another session explored indigenous knowledge systems, highlighting traditional practices and community wisdom as underused tools for adaptation and resilience.

Participants also pressed for the inclusion of climate education in Nigeria’s school curricula, coupled with hands-on learning through school gardens, climate clubs, and awareness campaigns.

Renewable energy opportunities, particularly solar power, were showcased as scalable solutions to bridge the region’s energy poverty and create sustainable livelihoods.

Advocacy was not left behind, as the role of technology and media from radio and podcasts to social media platforms was emphasized for amplifying youth voices and influencing policy.

The use of culture and the arts was also celebrated, with poetry, performance, and visual art deployed as powerful storytelling tools capable of connecting emotionally with communities.