16/06/2026
LACSOP Launches Climate Change Animation Campaign to Drive Environmental Action Across Lagos
The Chairman of the Lagos State Civil Society Participation for Development (LACSOP), Ayo Adebusoye, has called on citizens, communities, the media and government institutions to move beyond climate change awareness and embrace practical actions that can reduce flooding, plastic pollution and environmental degradation across Lagos State.
Adebusoye made the call during the launch of the Climate Change Animated Video Social Media Campaign held at the LACSOP Secretariat in Surulere, Lagos. The campaign is part of the Citizen-Led Accountability Mechanism and Inclusion for Mitigating Climate Change Impact (CLAIM) Project, supported by Bread for the World.
He described the initiative as timely, especially as the rainy season continues to expose communities across Lagos to the growing effects of climate change, including flooding worsened by indiscriminate waste disposal and blocked drainage channels.
“The animated video we are launching today speaks directly to this reality,” Adebusoye said. “It captures in a simple but powerful way how everyday actions, especially the improper disposal of plastics, contribute to environmental challenges that affect all of us.”
According to him, the campaign represents a shift from climate change discussions being limited to policy spaces to creating opportunities for ordinary citizens to participate in practical, community-driven solutions.
He added that the initiative is expected to encourage environmental responsibility among residents, strengthen engagement between communities and service providers, and promote accountability and sustainability in addressing climate-related challenges across Lagos.
Adebusoye also highlighted the importance of animation as a communication tool, noting that it provides a relatable and accessible way to engage young people and grassroots communities on environmental issues.
Speaking at the event, Executive Director of Development Communications Network, Akin Jimoh, emphasised that creating awareness must be followed by behavioural change.
“It is one thing to create awareness, it is another thing for people to change behaviour,” Jimoh said. “How can we make the government change behaviour? How can we ourselves also change behaviour? We need to have knowledge.”
He encouraged journalists and stakeholders to continue examining environmental challenges that have persisted over the years despite repeated advocacy efforts. According to him, the animated campaign would help improve public understanding of climate change and empower communities with the knowledge needed to take meaningful action.
Providing an overview of the CLAIM Project, Project Manager Omolara Olusaiye explained that the intervention commenced in April 2025 and will run until September 2026.She said the 18-month project focuses on Lagos Island and Apapa Local Government Areas, with the goal of mobilising youths and community stakeholders to address flooding, plastic pollution and gaps in the enforcement of climate-related policies through citizen-led accountability mechanisms.
Olusaiye noted that Lagos, with its rapidly growing population and urban expansion, remains highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
She explained that the project is built around three key objectives: increasing public awareness on climate change and the connection between plastic waste and flooding; promoting community participation in climate policy discussions; and supporting youth-led innovations that can improve waste management and strengthen community resilience.
“As we plan to round off the project in about five months, we plan to support youth-led innovation among people aged 18 to 35 years,” she said.
The Communication Manager for the CLAIM Project, Akinlolu Akinpelumi, explained that the campaign intentionally uses animation, Pidgin English and Yoruba languages to reach grassroots audiences and younger populations who increasingly consume information through digital platforms.
“We are using a different lens to push out the messaging. If we want to mitigate against climate change, we need to start from the grassroots,” he said.
Akinpelumi also raised concerns about the continued practice of dumping refuse into drainage channels, especially during rainfall, warning that such actions contribute significantly to flooding and place additional pressure on government resources.
He noted that resources spent on emergency responses to environmental challenges could otherwise support critical sectors such as health and education, stressing the need for collective responsibility in protecting the environment.
The campaign seeks to strengthen climate awareness, encourage responsible environmental behaviour and promote citizen participation in building a more resilient Lagos.
