Remi Tinubu Tells Nigerian Youths: ‘Don’t Depend on the Country to Survive’

• Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Nigerian youths to embrace self-reliance and take the lead in environmental protection, stressing that they must not wait for the government to provide every solution.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged young people across the country to embrace self-reliance and take the lead in protecting the environment.

She gave the charge on Thursday during the launch of the Environment Club and Environment Society at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Her message was clear: young Nigerians must be proactive and should not sit back expecting government to provide every solution.

According to her, youths must learn not to “depend on the country to give you what you need.”

The event, held at the Banquet Hall, drew high-profile attendees, including wives of state governors, top members of the National Assembly, senior officials of government, and the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima.

The programme, part of the Renewed Hope Initiative and supported by the Federal Ministry of Environment, is designed to create a network of young people driving environmental awareness and climate-friendly actions in schools and communities.

UNDP’s resident representative, Elsie Attafuah, described the project as more than a club, calling it a platform for youth-driven innovation. She said the initiative will inspire clean-energy ideas, climate campaigns, waste management efforts and other environmental solutions, adding that the UNDP will continue its support.

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Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abba Lawal, explained the importance of the initiative, linking a clean environment to public health. He highlighted global challenges like plastic pollution—especially in waterways—as urgent threats demanding action.

Under the new structure, secondary schools will operate Environment Clubs while tertiary institutions will run Environment Societies. Students will engage in activities such as:

• Climate advocacy
• Practical solutions to flooding and blocked drainage
• Research ideas, including rainwater harvesting
• Recycling and circular-economy innovations that turn waste into useful products

According to the First Lady, the goal is to groom young people who understand climate issues and can champion sustainable practices in their communities. The initiative is also expected to equip students with practical skills that can support their future livelihoods.

At the ceremony, Senator Tinubu praised a spoken-word performance by Esther Abraham of Government Secondary School, Mabushi. She later unveiled the handbook for the clubs and decorated the Minister of Environment as the National Environment Marshal.

In her closing remarks, she reminded the youths that the future of Nigeria’s environment rests in their hands. She encouraged them to organise shoreline clean-ups, speak up on climate issues, and lead campaigns in their schools and neighbourhoods.

Remi Tinubu emphasised that Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in global environmental efforts and urged the youths once more: “Don’t depend on the country to give you what you need.”