Kano journalists launch state’s first climate change reporting network

Hannatu Suleiman Abba

Journalists in Kano State have launched the Kano Climate Change Journalists’ Network (KCCJN) to strengthen climate reporting and deepen public awareness of environmental issues through accurate, evidence-based and solutions-focused journalism.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Kano State Director of Climate Change, Dr. Umar Sale Anka, serving as the KCCJN grand patron, described the initiative as timely, saying it would complement government efforts to address the growing impacts of climate change through effective public engagement.

He said quality climate reporting plays a critical role in raising public awareness, shaping policy discussions, promoting accountability and encouraging communities to adopt sustainable environmental practices.

According to Anka, the media occupies a strategic position in the global response to climate change by amplifying the voices of vulnerable communities and drawing attention to issues such as climate adaptation, resilience, climate finance and the implementation of commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

He urged journalists to continually build their capacity to report climate issues from governance, political and policy perspectives, stressing that informed reporting is essential for evidence-based decision-making and effective climate action.

Anka also commended the founders of the Kano Climate Change Journalists’ Network for establishing a platform dedicated to environmental journalism and pledged the state government’s support towards achieving its objectives.

Also speaking, climate change specialist Dr. Hadiza Shettima, KCCJN adviser, called on journalists to devote greater attention to the links between climate change and food security, describing the issue as one of the world’s most pressing development challenges.

She noted that Africa remains among the regions most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, particularly in agriculture, and urged the media to promote public awareness of climate-smart farming practices, resilient seed systems and other sustainable solutions capable of improving food security.

Members of the network include; Lukman Abdulmalik, Chairperson/ Editor-in-chief, Zulaiha Danjuma, Editor, Hannatu Suleiman Abba, Programs manager, Abdulwahab Said Ahamd, Publicity officer, Muhammad Dahiru Lawal, Research assistant and Khadija Yahaya, Secretary.

Other members are Salisu Hamisu Aliyu, Dalal Salisu Musa, Jamila Adam Seyoji, and Aisha Shehu Kabara.

The newly inaugurated network is expected to strengthen collaboration among journalists, policymakers, researchers and development partners while promoting credible, evidence-based reporting on climate change and environmental sustainability in Kano State.

However the initiative was developed as the result of HumanAngle, SCOJA fellowship which held from November 2025 to April 2026 to strengthen climate change reporting in Nigeria.