Professor of Social Studies and Environmental Education, Professor Joseph Olukayode Ogunbiyi, has called for the deliberate integration of environmental values into Nigeria’s educational system as a critical pathway to achieving sustainable development.
He made the call at the 21st Inaugural Lecture of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, titled “The Green Classroom: Integrating Environmental Values into Learning,” held on Tuesday at the University Auditorium, where he examined the relationship between environmental education, value formation and sustainable development in contemporary society.
While delivering his lecture, Prof. Ogunbiyi observed that the world faces a deepening environmental crisis driven by increasing degradation of natural resources, pollution, deforestation, desertification and the unchecked consequences of industrialisation and urbanisation, noting that developing nations, particularly Nigeria, bear a disproportionate burden of these challenges.
He described the Green Classroom as an educational concept that integrates environmental values, sustainability practices, eco-friendly behaviours and practical environmental learning, stressing that the classroom must become a living laboratory where students observe, engage and act on environmental realities.
In his words, environmental education is not merely a subject but a lifelong process encompassing knowledge acquisition, skill development, value formation, attitude change and active participation in environmental protection, emphasising that schools must model environmental responsibility to produce citizens committed to the sustainability of the planet.
The inaugural lecturer traced the evolution of environmental education from the landmark Stockholm Conference of 1972 through the Belgrade Charter of 1975 and the Tbilisi Conference of 1977 to the Rio Earth Summit of 1992, highlighting the global consensus that environmentally responsible citizenship must be cultivated through education.
He identified inadequate funding, shortage of trained specialists, an examination-oriented curriculum, rapid urbanisation and weak environmental consciousness as major obstacles confronting environmental education in Nigeria, calling for urgent policy attention to these challenges.
Drawing from research and educational theory, Prof. Ogunbiyi advocated the adoption of Values Analysis and Values Clarification as the two major strategies for embedding environmental values in learners, arguing that these strategies equip students with the logical reasoning, personal commitment and reflective capacity needed to make sound environmental decisions.
He further aligned environmental education with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, noting that a robust environmental education programme directly supports SDGs 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 15 and 17, and urged institutions to reframe waste as a resource by promoting the waste-to-wealth concept within school settings.
The inaugural lecturer also proposed the establishment of a dedicated Bachelor of Education or Bachelor of Science degree programme in Environmental Education within the Department of Social Science Education, in line with the National Universities Commission’s Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards.
He recommended, amongst others, the need for government and university authorities to strengthen environmental education policies, fund environmental learning resources, train more teachers in environmental education, develop a separate national curriculum for the subject and encourage the nationwide adoption of Green Classrooms.
He concluded that the Green Classroom is the pathway through which environmental values can be integrated into learning, transformed into behaviour, and translated into sustainable development.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Inaugural Lecture Committee congratulated the inaugural lecturer on attaining the prestigious academic milestone.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, described the 21st Inaugural Lecture as a significant milestone in the intellectual history of the University, noting that it was also the fourth inaugural lecture since his assumption of office on 11th February, 2026.
He noted that the theme of the lecture could not have come at a more appropriate time, as humanity continues to grapple globally with climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, desertification, pollution and other ecological challenges that threaten sustainable development and the well-being of future generations.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed that education remains one of the most powerful instruments for achieving the transformation required, with the capacity to shape values, attitudes and behaviours that promote environmental consciousness and responsible citizenship.
Prof. Usman reaffirmed the University’s commitment to supporting impactful research, innovation and academic programmes that contribute to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
He expressed appreciation to the Chairman and members of the Inaugural Lecture Series Committee for their dedication to sustaining the University’s culture of scholarship.
In the same vein, he extended heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Mr. David Ocholi Solomon, a 300-Level student of Biochemistry, whose unfortunate death remains a source of profound grief to the management.
He reassured members of the university community, parents, guardians and the general public that the university remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring that justice is served. He added that following the prompt intervention of the university’s internal security personnel, the suspects connected with the incident were apprehended and immediately handed over to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for thorough investigation and prosecution.
The Vice-Chancellor heartily congratulated Prof. Ogunbiyi on his remarkable academic achievement and commended him for sharing the fruits of his scholarship with the university community and wider society.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the inaugural lecture certificate, plaque and medal to the lecturer.
The lecture attracted members of the University Management, Senate, academic staff, students, Royal Fathers, religious leaders, heads of Primary and Secondary Schools and distinguished guests from within and outside the University community.
