Climate-Change Community Tracker Fellowship – Cohort 2
The Climate Change Community Tracker Fellowship Cohort II brought together 17 young people from Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas who are engaging with climate change as a lived challenge that shapes peace, livelihoods, and community stability.
The fellowship began with a seven-week virtual learning phase, where fellows examined how climate change intersects with security, education, and local economies in Apa–Agatu. The focus was on building practical capacity and strengthening skills in leadership, advocacy, community organizing, project design, and ethical storytelling that can support informed action at the grassroots level.
Fellows participated in learning sessions on peacebuilding, citizen journalism, countering disinformation, innovation in storytelling, and African-centered reporting. Their learning was deepened through guided reading and reflection on selected texts, including How to Write About Africa by Binyavanga Wainaina, The Nobodies by Eduardo Galeano, Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela, and Letter from Birmingham Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These works challenged fellows to think critically about justice, power, and the responsibility of narrators within society.
The fellowship advanced into a fully funded three-day physical bootcamp in Abuja, Nigeria, ensuring that all selected fellows could participate without financial barriers. This in-person phase translated learning into experience through field exposure to practical climate solutions. Fellows visited HUSK Power Systems in Nasarawa State, where decentralized renewable energy supports households, jobs, and local enterprise. They also engaged with Eco Barter, where women convert plastic waste into useful products, demonstrating circular economy models driven by community innovation.
A focused interaction with Habiba Ali, Founder of Sosai Energy, offered insights into clean energy leadership and implementation across Nigeria, including Benue State. These engagements opened pathways for experiential learning, with selected fellows securing internship placements at Sosai Energy and HUSK Power Systems.
Additionally, we had the honor of receiving Hon. David Olofu the former Commissioner of Finance for Benue State, 2015-2023. He encouraged the fellows to hold on to what is possible, reminding them that the future belongs to those who dare to dream and achieve.
Beyond training and exposure, Cohort II emphasizes practical applications. Each fellow is expected to design and implement a community-based initiative that advances climate awareness, peacebuilding, responsible storytelling, and sustainable practices across Apa–Agatu.
The Climate Change Community Tracker Fellowship Cohort II is cultivating a network of young people who understand their context, value accuracy, and are prepared to act. Through learning, practice, and community engagement, they are contributing to a more informed, resilient, and climate-aware Apa–Agatu.
