Nigeria Cooling Day: Young People Taking Initiative!

Monday, January 26, 2026, is Nigeria Cooling Day.

This was slated by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and International Finance Corporation (IFC). The purpose is to address the cooling crisis in Nigeria, where over 114 million people lack adequate access to cooling due to rising temperatures, affordability issues, and unreliable electricity.

The challenge is not just an NCCC challenge, it is a challenge many Nigerians know too well, and it is great seeing young people taking the bull by the horns, leveraging social media to draw our attention to the cooling and electricity crisis we have in Nigeria.

Happiness Hassan, a young climate advocate who was part of the first cohort of the Corps Climate Literacy Program, is leading the charge with an Energy Saving Climate Awareness Campaign.

Happiness Hassan, Convener of “Turn It Off, Cool The Planet” online climate awareness campaign

Happiness had this to say about the campaign;

“Turn it Off. Cool the Planet is an online campaign promoting simple energy-saving habits such as switching off unused appliances and reducing wasteful power use to lower carbon emissions and foster sustainable living at home and in communities.”

She partnered with Buddy Greenspark Initiative and Hone NYSC to carry out this laudable initiative.

Tolulope Gbenro of Hone NYSC organised the Corps Climate Literacy Program, an Eco Champions Initiative by SOS Children’s Village Nigeria and in Partnership with Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative could not be more proud knowing that the organiser of this Climate Awareness Campaign is one of the success stories of the program.

Tolulope Gbenro, Founder Hone NYSC

Tolu had this to say;

“The advocacy campaign is used to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Clean Energy themes “Clean energy for people and planet”. The social media advocacy campaign aims to raise awareness on energy conservation and efficiency practices, reduce carbon emissions and promote green culture.”

Chima Ernest Okoli, the founder of Buddy Greenspark Initiative, an organisation focused on improving the environment with youth-led grassroots initiatives also spoke on the campaign.

Chima Ernest Okoli, Founder Buddy Greenspark Initiative

“It is important for young people at this time to collaborate and make use of tools that we are vast in to push beneficial narratives like climate action resilience, even on social media. I believe this campaign that has over 25 young people already committed will make a positive mark even in Nigeria this year.”