A non-governmental organization, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV Nigeria), and EnviroNews stated categorically that they are now working against ozone layer depletion and the worsening climate change in Nigeria.
They asserted this at a virtual workshop on “The Role of the Media, CSOs/NGOs in Advancing Nigeria’s Transition from ODS to Climate-Friendly Refrigerants and Cooling Technologies,” to fast-track Nigeria’s transition from harmful refrigerants to climate-friendly alternatives.
The Executive Director of SRADeV Nigeria, Dr. Leslie Adogame, outlined the need for more inclusive communication strategies to simplify the complex science of climate change for the wider public.
Adogame said, “Despite Nigeria’s progress in phasing out harmful refrigerants, there’s a noticeable knowledge gap, not only among citizens but also within the media and public institutions.
“We have teamed up to empower media professionals and civil society organisations with the tools to drive public engagement and policy advocacy. This initiative aims to bridge that gap through strategic awareness and capacity-building.”
The Executive Director further explained that this brought together journalists, CSOs, and international experts to highlight the urgency of phasing out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-GHGs), in line with the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
He added, “The workshop built on insights from a previous stakeholders’ meeting held on April 10 in Abuja, where participants stressed the importance of leveraging media and grassroots advocacy to accelerate Nigeria’s refrigerant transition.”
Also, Jeremiah Ato of SRADeV emphasized the environmental and health impacts of ODS, including Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to eliminate chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
Ato equally cited the country’s advancement to Stage III of its HCFC Phase-Out Management Plan (HPMP), targeting a 67.5% reduction in HCFCs by 2025 and a full phase-out by 2030.
He warned of the unintended climate consequences of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which replaced ODS but carry high global warming potential, saying, “We’re now in a race just against ozone depletion.”
Michael Simire of EnviroNews Nigeria focused on the role of environmental journalism in demystifying climate language and shaping public opinion, adding,
“we must move beyond simply reporting facts; it must spark conversation, correct disinformation, and inspire action.
“Environmental storytelling should not alienate people with jargon, but connect them with real-life implications and solutions.”
Speakers from Brazil and Kenya spoke on the global dimension of the conversation, sharing lessons from their home countries’ implementation of the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment.
They observed that despite regional differences, the challenge of effectively communicating technical climate information is universal.
Participants were grouped into media and CSO clusters to develop advocacy strategies. Civil society representatives crafted messaging to engage women and youth on sustainable cooling solutions, while journalists practiced crafting accessible headlines to communicate the Protocol’s aims to the wider public.
The media was urged to track and report Nigeria’s climate commitments with precision and persistence, while CSOs were encouraged to initiate community-level campaigns promoting certified technicians and the use of green-labelled appliances.
“Together, these efforts mark a decisive step toward positioning Nigeria as a responsible stakeholder in global climate action—one that prioritises both environmental health and public empowerment.”
