Training the Future: GRENCHI Equips Anambra Students with Green Innovation Skills

In a bold move to nurture the next generation of environmental leaders, the Green Environment and Climate Change Initiative (GRENCHI) has equipped secondary school students in Anambra State with practical green innovation skills designed to tackle climate change, water scarcity and environmental degradation.

The three-day E-STEM training in Awka did more than teach theory — it empowered young participants with hands-on solutions in renewable energy, biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture.

The programme drew students aged between eleven and twenty from environmental clubs across various secondary schools who gained knowledge in solar energy systems, air and water quality measurement, biodiversity monitoring, mapping and basic data analysis, as well as water conservation techniques in agriculture.

The initiative was funded by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) and Pratt & Whitney supported by other local partners including Greenage Technologies; the Departments of Crop Science and Horticulture, and Forestry and Wildlife at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK); the Sahelian Institute of Bamboo Research and Entrepreneurship Development (SIBRED); and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

At the end of it, GRENCHI’s Programme Lead and facilitator for Water Conservation in Agriculture, Dr. Ropo Apalowo, expressed satisfaction with the depth and structure of the training modules.
“We exposed them to both theory and practical knowledge. The students now understand what a hydroponics system is and how to plant using soil-less media. They also know about vertical farming and different media they can use in crop cultivation.”

According to him, the most remarkable outcome was the enthusiasm displayed by the students as they engaged with unfamiliar but practical concepts. “The most important thing is their excitement to learn things they did not know before. Almost all of them confidently said they would practise what they learned when they return to their homes, schools and communities,” he noted.

“Previously, they attached stress to agriculture. But now they know that even in their school uniforms, they can plant vegetables in their verandas and around their homes,” he said.

“We now have a group of young people who are not only educated in theory but also know how to implement these changes. When they return to their schools, they will act as peer educators. Young people learn from their peers, so the knowledge will spread within their schools and communities.”

He further explained that the impact extended beyond students, as teachers and accompanying adults also showed eagerness to learn. “However, replicating the skills acquired would reduce environmental waste such as plastics and nylon materials, while promoting water conservation in agriculture.

“As long as there are students willing to learn and partners willing to support us, the programme will continue in the years to come,” he assured.
Community Engagement Officer of GRENCHI, Grace Okoro, was impressed with the turnout and level of participation by the students and their teachers.

“We gathered seasoned resource persons who trained the students in three sections: solar energy conservation, biodiversity conservation, and water conservation in agriculture. In each section, there were practical demonstrations, and the students and teachers were excited about the knowledge they gained.”

She urged participants to take the lessons beyond the training venue. “They should take the knowledge back to their schools, homes and communities. Those who learned solar installation should try it at home and in their schools. Those who learned about biodiversity should continue identifying and monitoring flora and fauna. Those trained in soil-less farming and water conservation should practise it,” she said.

Okoro disclosed that the students are expected to reconvene around June or July to pitch ideas developed from the training, expressing confidence that the outcomes would be impactful.

For many of the students, the experience was transformative. Charles Ogbaga of Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka, said the training reshaped his understanding of agriculture.

“What I’ve learned is that agriculture is beyond what we learn in school. It is practical. “Planting crops without soil is something we have never been taught. Hydroponics uses far less water. If conventional agriculture uses 100 percent water, hydroponics uses about 20 percent.”
Nonye Okpor Ginifor from Nwafor Orizu College Demonstration Secondary School, Awka, said he was leaving the training better informed. “I learned the art of hydroponics, where crops derive their nutrients from water instead of soil. I also learned that about 80 percent of water used in regular watering evaporates. But with drip irrigation, water goes directly to the roots, conserving it.”

He added that vertical farming was another eye-opening concept, allowing crops to be planted in cut bottles arranged vertically to save space and resources.

For Emmanuella Okoye of Community Secondary School, Enugu-Agidi, the renewable energy segment was particularly impactful. “I learned about solar panels, solar energy and career paths like solar technician and energy auditor,” she said.

“I also learned about MPPT, batteries, inverters and charge controllers, and how to connect the solar panel to the MPPT, then to the inverter and back into the system. Installing solar panels in our school would significantly improve electricity supply and enhance ICT learning.

Obianuju Ejiofor, an SS2 student of Saint John of God Secondary School, Awka, described her exposure to biodiversity studies as enlightening. From classroom sessions to zoo and forest visits, she learned to identify plants and animals and document their scientific names. The mapping and GPS exercise, including plans for a 0.5-hectare school forest project, stood out for her.

“This experience will not be in vain,” she said. “With this knowledge, I can monitor plants and animals, help balance the ecosystem and discourage illegal hunting,” she concluded.