Poorly managed plastic waste in Lagos, Nigeria, March 17, 2023. Image by Tunesh247 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). By Mariam Doyinsola Oyedele In today's digital age, the influence of digital media has been instrumental in educating Nigerians about the environment in which they live. However, the extent to which the influence of digital media has translated into tangible actions and widespread adoption of environmentally friendly practices remains a subject of exploration. Today, there are 122.5 million internet users in Nigeria, and there is no doubt that it has created an avenue for Nigerians to learn about their environment and the climate crisis. Social media platforms alone have created a space for individuals to acquire information about the effects of climate change, lack of recycling, oil spillages, and flooding that's plaguing the nation. Through digital media, web-based systems have made it possible for Nigerians to gain knowledge about their environment. According to Google searches, Nigerians have shown an increased interest in issues concerning their surroundings. On Earth Day, the multinational technology company released data showing Nigeria’s highest sustainability trends, with “What is global warming?” being the most searched question on Google. Other trends noted as part of Nigeria’s top sustainability trends included carbon neutrality, which shows that some Nigerians are more aware of climate change and are in search of means to reduce their carbon footprint. Nigerians have embraced the role of citizen journalists, leveraging electronic technology to share their personal experiences with the environment. By creating videos and capturing images, they effectively draw others’ attention to the unfolding environmental situations in society. In 2022, Nigeria witnessed a significant surge in flooding, affecting 33 out of 36 states and displacing more than two million Nigerians, as reported by the National Emergency Management Agency. In response to these devastating occurrences, concerned citizens turned to Twitter as a platform to share first-hand accounts. For instance, a Twitter user shared videos of the flooding in Anambra: Flooding around Idemili & Ogbaru LGAs of Anambra State. This is a ripple effect of the opening of dam on the River Benue by Cameroonian authorities. Majority of Lokoja Kogi State, is submerged in water as I tweet. Shows the very poor foreign policy engagement of the Buhari admin. pic.twitter.com/6ALNnNz1mD — Olaudah Equiano® (@RealOlaudah) October 7, 2022 These visuals play a crucial role in illustrating the scale and urgency of the environmental challenges facing the nation. Nigerians have also demonstrated their commitment to environmental sustainability through social media. They frequently create hashtags during campaigns, such as #GreenNigeria and #pickthattrash, to mobilize and unite individuals for a common cause: Attention everyone!📢 Did you know that climate change is wreaking havoc on Nigeria's food supply, leading to shortages and soaring prices? Let's make our voices heard and demand action on climate change! #Vote4ClimateNG#GreenNigeria #election2023 #ClimateAction pic.twitter.com/W1dtby9lX4 — Vote4ClimateNG (@Vote4ClimateNG) March 16, 2023 Today we #pickthattrash @NESREANigeria Northwest zonal office, Kano I still support @obyezeks on this mission thank you Ma pic.twitter.com/NQ6Luxthvs — Ibrahim (@ibmoha80) May 3, 2018 Moreover, digital media has emerged as an essential tool for environmental activists to disseminate information about their work and Nigeria's ecological challenges. In 2021, a podcast by Arukah Network and Tearfund's Footsteps magazineentitled “How to Build a Community” aired an episode focusing on how young Nigerians found innovative ways to create businesses by addressing Nigeria's waste problem. These enterprising individuals were converting electronic waste into solar energy, offering both economic opportunities and positive environmental impact. On the podcast, Oscar Danladi, an environmental activist who runs the Jos Green Centre in central Nigeria, shared insights into the efforts of eco-entrepreneurs and their mission to inspire young Nigerians to care for the environment while seeking employment and establishing their businesses. Amidst these positive developments, challenges to achieving widespread environmental consciousness persist in Nigeria. According to the National Technical Study Group's report in 2022, only three states in Nigeria are environmentally clean — compared to seven in 2021. This underscores the need to foster a deeper sense of responsibility and awareness about sustainable practices among citizens.