Matthew Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, is to lead discussion at the S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture to be jointly hosted by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and Edu’s family.
This year’s edition of the lecture, which is the 24th in the series, will be an exploration into humanity’s moral relationship with nature, according to a statement from the NCF.
Kukah, a respected moral voice, scholar, and advocate whose work spans faith, governance, and social justice, is to speak on the theme of the lecture — ‘To Have and To Hold: Faith and Care of the Environment.’
The S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture is the flagship advocacy tool of the NCF, aimed at bringing pertinent environmental issues to the fore, while advocating solutions through renowned speakers.
For over two decades, the lecture has provided a platform to address pressing environmental and sustainability issues in Nigeria and beyond. Through renowned speakers, the event has consistently articulated solutions to environmental challenges while promoting sustainable development.
“This year’s theme is a profound reflection on humanity’s moral relationship with nature. It invites a critical examination of whether our beliefs inspire responsible stewardship of the environment or unintentionally contribute to its degradation,” Joseph Onoja, Director-General of NCF, explained.
Onoja stressed the importance of the annual lecture, noting that “at a time when Africa confronts intertwined crises of environmental degradation, inequality, and leadership deficits, the S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture calls us back to values of responsibility, stewardship, and justice.
Sustainability is not only a technical challenge; it is a moral one. This platform exists to remind us that the future we seek must be guided by conscience as much as policy.”
In line with its commitment to knowledge generation and capacity building, NCF will also award research grants to two PhD candidates in Nigerian universities whose work focuses on environmental sciences and sustainability.
The grants support research in biodiversity conservation, environmental management, and sustainable livelihoods, following a rigorous and transparent adjudication process involving academics, professionals and stakeholders in the fields of conservation. Since inception, 48 candidates have been awarded this scholarship.
Founded on the belief that protecting nature is inseparable from securing human well-being, the legacy of S.L. Edu remains central to the lecture series. His vision that conservation must be rooted in ethics, foresight, and intergenerational responsibility continues to guide NCF’s mission and advocacy today.
The lecture convenes policymakers, faith leaders, conservation practitioners, academics, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional institutions, development partners, and local and international media. It remains a cornerstone of NCF’s efforts to inspire dialogue, reflection, and a moral re-orientation toward a more sustainable and just future.
