The Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr Joseph Onoja, has called on Nigerian students to partner with the organisation in advancing environmental conservation across the country.
Onoja made the call during a courtesy visit to him by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), in Lagos on Friday, March 27, 2026.
Onoja emphasised the critical role of the youth in driving environmental sustainability.
He said that young people possessed the energy, innovation and enthusiasm to drive environmental conservation.
“Young people have the capacity to push whatever agenda forward either positively or negatively.
“NANS partnering with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation will have a positive effect on our environment,” he said.
Onoja urged students to channel their strength to conserving nature, saying that collective action would yield significant results.
“We need to conserve mother nature so that mother nature can conserve us.
“Imagine about 70 million students in Nigeria contributing even one naira each; thatwill have a huge impact,” he said.
Onoja described deforestation as a major environmental challenge in Nigeria, adding that the country had less than 10 per cent of its forest cover remaining.
He disclosed that the foundation had launched an initiative known as Green Recovery Nigeria aimed at restoring degraded forest ecosystems.
According to him, the programme focused not only on tree planting but also on nurturing trees to ensure their survival.
“At NCF, we don’t just say plant, we say nurture. Nurturing ensures that the trees survive, which is the only way to effectively combat deforestation,” he said.
Onoja added that the organisation was collaborating with stakeholders at national, sub-national and community levels, including students, to restore degraded landscapes.
He said that NCF partnership with state governments was crucial since land administration was under their jurisdiction.
The NANS Presidential Spokesperson, Comrade Alao John, said that the students paid the visit to gain practical knowledge.
“We are here to learn beyond the conventional classroom. We are here to learn new things,” he said.
He commended the NCF for efforts in environmental conservation, hoping that the visit would help to bridge the gap between theory and practice in environmental protection.
He urged active participation of the youth in safeguarding the environment.
“Our immediate environment tells a lot about us. We should not be strangers in our environment.
“A way to learn is by exploring and visiting natural habitats,” he said.
John said that about 100 students from various tertiary institutions in Nigeria participated in the visit.
He urged Nigerian students to take responsibility for the environment and contribute to its conservation.
By Henry Oladele and Olaitan Idris