Climate Leadership and Innovation: From the Lens of Vetland Senior Grammar School, Lagos, Nigeria

The urban environment of Lagos faces severe environmental challenges, including flooding, plastic waste pollution, and deforestation. These issues are worsened by rapid urbanization, poor waste management systems, and lack of education on sustainable practices to protect the environment. Vetland Senior Grammar School, located on the mainland area of Lagos State, is taking bold steps to address these challenges through its Climate Club, which equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to become changemakers in their communities. 

To create long lasting solutions to the climate and environmental issues we experience in Nigeria, we must start from the younger generation, broadening their understanding on climate change, bracing them with the necessary information they need to become environmental allies as well as educators and positive influence on their peers and family members. This was the very goal of the Ashoka-Ford Young Changemakers for the Environment Program, arming young people with the knowledge and skill they need to tackle climate issues in their immediate environs. 

As a participant in the Ashoka Climate Clubs initiative to foster climate awareness and action among young people, Vetland Senior Grammar School have implemented impactful eco-friendly projects that encourage sustainable practices and drive climate awareness.  

The establishment of the Climate Club at Vetland was a response to the growing need for environmental sustainability and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action. This club was envisioned as a way to empower students to understand, combat, and adapt to climate challenges while fostering leadership and innovation. 

The Climate Club quickly grew to include 47 students and 4 teachers, serving as facilitators and mentors.  With training from the Ashoka Climate Bootcamp, the club set ambitious goals to educate students about climate change, implement sustainable practices within the school, and engage the local community in environmental awareness initiatives. 

One of the club’s most impactful projects has been the Eco-School Garden, where students cultivated vegetables using sustainable farming techniques. The garden not only served as a practical learning experience but also contributed to the school’s nutrition and provided produce for community meals as local produce such as maize and cassava are grown in this garden. The garden demonstrates how small, locally led actions could contribute to global climate resilience.  

The club’s activities have had a transformative impact on the school and its community. Within the school, students have become advocates for sustainability, leading tree-planting drives and awareness campaigns focused on Plastic Recycling. Their efforts have inspired the surrounding community to adopt waste segregation and composting practices. These activities have not only beautified the environment but also instilled a sense of pride and responsibility among students and residents alike. 

Among the success stories from the Climate Club is Taiwo, a club member who developed a thriving business idea centered on converting plastic bottle seals into home décor and lifestyle products. Taiwo’s innovative approach has not only showcased the entrepreneurial potential of sustainability, turning waste to wealth as they were taught during the Ashoka Climate Bootcamp; she has also inspired her peers to explore similar eco-friendly ventures. Another notable achievement involved four girls, including a club member, who designed a mobile app to monitor agricultural practices. This app has gained regional recognition for its potential to enhance farming efficiency and sustainability. 

The Ashoka Climate Club initiative has provided the students of Vetland with opportunities to connect their local actions to global climate justice discussions. Through workshops, the students have gained skills in leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving, as well as an in-depth understanding of climate science. Mr Gbenusola , the Teacher involved in the Ashoka Climate Club alongside his colleagues have guided students in integrating these lessons into actionable projects, ensuring that the club's activities are both impactful and educational. 

Looking to the future, the Climate Club aims to expand its reach by establishing similar clubs in neighboring schools, thereby multiplying its impact. With plans to install renewable energy sources like solar panels and secure advanced recycling equipment, the club is set to transform Vetland Senior Grammar School into a certified Eco-School. Supported by the Ford Foundation and Ashoka's global network, Vetland is inspiring a generation of climate-conscious leaders poised to drive sustainable change.