Urgent Call for Environmental Education in Nigeria

During the Environmental Education Summit at the University of Port Harcourt on October 24, 2023, Dr. Patterson Ogon, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), emphasized the need for environmental education (EE) as a critical component of ecological governance in Nigeria. He stated that environmental laws alone cannot reverse the country's ecological decline without enhancing public knowledge and leadership orientation.

Ogon cited alarming statistics, including over 754,000 barrels of crude oil spilled in Nigeria from 2006 to 2022, with Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta States being the most affected. He referenced a 2023 report indicating that Nigerian oil pipelines are significantly more prone to leaks than those in the European Union.

Ogon also pointed out various environmental issues, such as desertification, gully erosion, and coastal flooding, and criticized the inadequate response to environmental disasters. He proposed the Port Harcourt Framework for Environmental Education and Ecological Governance, stressing the importance of sustainable environmental management as a national priority.