DEAN Initiative.

The Untold Environmental Burden Brewing Underneath The CBN Data Localisation Directive.

Day 2 of the Youth Climate Policy Alignment Lab moved from understanding Nigeria’s climate policy architecture to exploring how young people can design, finance, strengthen and position their climate initiatives within it.

The day began with an interactive session on Designing Policy-Aligned Climate Projects, facilitated by Yasid Mikailu, followed by Mrs. Chioma Amudi, NDC Focal Person at the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), who explored the role of the NCCC in capturing youth participation in the formulation, implementation and reporting of Nigeria’s NDC.

Mr. Victor Terhemba in the session “Funding What Matters: Why Donors Care About Policy Alignment,” examining the connection between policy relevance and funding opportunities provided an fresh perspective for the youth participants.

The conversation continued with Mrs. Dolapo John, Youth Focal Person, Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, on how youth climate action can advance climate change policy in Nigeria through collaboration with the Department of Climate Change.

The afternoon shifted into though provoking session, expertly facilitated by Executive Director of DEAN Initiative,

The Lab closed with an established Youth Climate Policy Network, the two days of learning and co-creation translated into concrete commitments for action.

The final message was clear: alignment is not the end goal; it is a pathway to stronger climate action, greater policy engagement and sustained impact.

A conversation worth remembering. 🌍✨

Yesterday, we marked **International Youth Day** with a thought provoking **One on One moment with Uncle Dapsy**, Exploring the **Youth Digital Citizenship Initiative** and the importance of safe, responsible and meaningful participation in the digital space.

It was more than a conversation. It was an opportunity to reflect on the role young people play in shaping the digital world and the society we want to build.

Here are some moments from Yesterday. 📸

Day 1 of the “Youth Climate Policy Alignment Lab” was focused on helping 20 young climate leaders understand Nigeria’s climate policy landscape and examine how their own work connects to national climate priorities.

The day opened with “Mr. Olumide Idowu”, who led a conversation on “Policy-Driven Youth Action” challenging participants to think beyond implementing climate projects and consider how young people can engage more strategically with policy processes.

This was followed by “Mr. Ken from Oxfam”, who took participants through “Climate Policy 101: Understanding Nigeria’s Climate Architecture.” The session unpacked key components of Nigeria’s climate policy framework, including the National Council on Climate Change National Council Climate Change, National Climate Change Policy , Energy Transition Plan, National Adaptation Plan and Nationally Determined Contribution .

The final session of the day, facilitated by “ Yasid Mikailu of NEST Africa” moved from understanding policy to applying it. Through “NDCs Unpacked & Mapping My Climate Project Against Nigeria’s Climate Priorities,” participants began examining their own climate initiatives through the lens of Nigeria’s NDC and identifying areas of alignment.

From “understanding the policy architecture, to unpacking Nigeria’s NDC, to mapping youth-led climate action against national priorities” Day 1 set the foundation for the practical alignment and action work ahead.

“Day 2 continues tomorrow”

It’s happening TODAY! 🔥

Join us for a powerful One on One with Uncle Dapsy as Semiye Michael sits down with Dapo Olorunyomi for an insightful conversation on Youth Digital Citizenship
Initiative

📍 Today, August 12, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM

Don’t miss the conversation. Tune in and be part of it!

Digital spaces shape real lives. How young people engage, speak, create, and participate online matters.

This International Youth Day, DEAN Initiative unveils the Youth Digital Citizenship Initiative empowering Nigerian youth to become responsible, safe, informed, and influential citizens in a digital society.

The future of citizenship is digital. Let’s make it youth-powered.

Climate Change and the Burden of Care within the Lake Chad Region

Our latest research explores the hidden burden climate shocks place on households across the Lake Chad Region, from increased caregiving time and financial strain to livelihood loss and caregiver stress.

Swipe through the 10 key findings.

AI is making academic work easier. But are we becoming better graduates?

AI is helping students write faster, research faster, and complete academic tasks faster.
But there is a harder question we need to confront: Are we producing graduates who are more capable or simply more efficient at producing work they may not fully understand?
This Data Flash examines what rising AI adoption could mean for academic integrity, critical thinking, the credibility of degrees, employer confidence, graduate employability, and the future of higher education.
And ultimately, it asks:

The question is no longer whether students are using AI, it is what that convenience is costing us.
As AI adoption rises across higher education, concerns around academic integrity, originality, critical thinking, graduate competence, and employability are becoming harder to ignore.

This Data Flash takes a closer look at the emerging evidence and asks a more important question:
If AI helps us produce more, but we learn less, who ultimately pays the price?
Swipe through. Read the data. Consider the implications. The future of learning depends not just on how we use AI, but on what we choose to preserve.