In commemoration of this year’s World Radio Day, which held on Thursday, February 13, 2025, Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu; Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Akin Akingbulu; Deputy Director Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Ayode Longe and Chief Executive Officer Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Motunrayo Alaka, have unanimously stressed the need to deploy radio as force for climate action.

Themed: ‘Radio and climate change’, Ebuebu observed radio has always been a medium that reaches every corner of the country — from bustling cities to remote rural communities.

Saying it behoves on broadcasters and other stakeholders to use the medium in raising awareness, educating citizens and empowering communities with the knowledge they need to adapt to a changing climate, to this effect, he disclosed the ‘Green Broadcasting Pledge’ has been introduced in the country.

He described the ‘Pledge’ as public commitment that invites every Nigerian radio station and broadcaster to embrace sustainable broadcasting practices and to integrate climate awareness into their programming.

Ebuebu identified some key components of the pledge, which include, climate awareness programming; eco-friendly broadcasting practices; supporting local climate solutions; promotion of eco-friendly advertisements; capacity building in climate journalism; implementation and recognition; monitoring and evaluation.

He further emphasised the need to inspire communities to build greener and more resilient future together. Describing radio as powerful tool for change that connects, educates, and empowers communities—particularly in the fight against climate change, Akingbulu suggested every broadcaster, policymaker, and citizen has a role to play in building a climate-resilient Nigeria.

To him, radio remains the most accessible source of information, especially in rural areas where digital access is limited.He highlighted how radio stations across the country could drive climate action by providing early warnings, educating farmers on adaptive agricultural practices, and amplifying local voices affected by extreme weather conditions.

Akingbulu also called for investment in community radio, training for journalists on climate reporting, and stronger collaborations between broadcasters, government agencies, and environmental organisations.

Beyond raising awareness, he noted radio must offer practical solutions. Stations serving agricultural regions, he advised, could work with experts to educate listeners on drought-resistant crops and water conservation techniques.

By integrating climate-focused content into regular programming, he added radio could move beyond discussion to inspire real action. To Longe, in a nation grappling with floods, desertification, and energy poverty, radio must be strengthened to bridge the gap between policy and practice.

He observed Nigeria, as a signatory to the Paris Agreement, has outlined ambitious climate targets in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) including: a pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent in 2030, with plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060; and the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan which aims to universalize energy access by 2030 through investments in solar and hydropower, while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

However, Longe noted despite the commitments, Nigeria missed the February 10, 2025 deadline for submitting its updated NDCs, critical milestones that are at the heart of the Paris Agreement and the achievement of its long-term goals, to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

He reminded stakeholders that the power of radio lies not just in broadcasting information but in fostering collective resolve, adding, “as Nigeria navigates intersecting climate and economic challenges, let us harness this medium to turn pledges into progress, ensuring no community is left unheard or unprotected.”

He also stressed the importance of media freedom and the safety of journalists who cover climate change issues, arguing that given the crucial role of environmental journalists and broadcasters in holding governments, corporations, and policymakers accountable for their climate commitments, it is imperative that they are protected from threats, censorship, and intimidation.

He, therefore, called on the Nigerian government to leverage radio’s reach to educate citizens on climate risks and solutions, ensuring that marginalised voices are included in policy dialogues. He also urged the international community to fulfill its climate finance pledges to enable Nigeria and other vulnerable nations to transition equitably.

Alaka, on her part, observed the theme of this year as apt. She recalled, “I often say in the digital age, radio is still king, especially in Africa where the capacity to afford data to stay online is low.”

The purchasing power of Nigerians makes radio the most accessible medium.” Making reference to data, Alaka added over 80 per cent of Nigerians rely on radio for information.

To this end, she insisted that it was important to adopt radio in driving conversations around real time information on climate change. At the WSCIJ, she disclosed, “we are particular about not only surface conversations but in-depth conversations that are nuanced about the changes to society. From research, we found out that the language used to report climate change issues are technical for the people in rural areas. Then radio becomes a platform we can deploy to reach the people.”

Saying radio is perhaps the most diverse in use of local language, she suggested, “we do need to make information about climate change what people can understand. We need to do investigation that are nuanced for people to connect to their lives so they can participate in their own civic space about the changes that they need.”

In addition, she stated, “we also have the podcast, which is like an advanced form of radio. All of these platforms must be deployed to ensure our people are climate change ready.”

In the yearly Wole Soyinka Awards, Alaka also noticed radio is lagging behind in investigative reporting. To this end, she urged broadcasters to do more investigative journalism in order to change the Climate Action narrative.