At the Yaba Art Museum in Lagos, Nigeria, students from Yaba School of Technology assemble large puppet animals from wood and paper. These puppets will travel to 11 cities worldwide as part of THE HERDS project, an initiative to raise awareness about climate change.
Creative director Amir Nizar Zuabi conceived THE HERDS after witnessing the success of a similar project. The puppets symbolise wildlife fleeing environmental destruction, aiming to inspire climate action.
Students at Yabatech, supported by professionals and alumni, have taken on the task of creating these puppets. Many joined to apply their artistic skills to climate activism. Hassan Abdullateef, a Fine Art major, says, “Being part of the project made me feel like my creativity could actually make a difference. It wasn’t just about making something nice but using art to spread awareness and start conversations.”
Other students share varied motivations. Adefila Toluwanimi Joshua initially focused on the puppets’ visual appeal before engaging with the project’s message. Oladunjoye Ifeanyi Moses, a General Art student, views the project as a statement on the need to address climate change. Engineering students also participate. Joseph Ifefimihan, an engineering student, appreciates how THE HERDS makes climate change relatable.
The puppets will journey from the Congo Basin to the Arctic Circle, stopping in major cities across 11 countries, including Lagos, Nigeria. In each city, local cultural performances will accompany the puppets to engage the public and convey the message that the world needs saving. In Nigeria, A Whitespace Creative Arts Foundation leads the project, with support from government agencies, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, and individuals.
The students’ involvement has transformed their understanding of art’s potential to drive social change. Hassan Abdullateef notes that art captures attention in ways traditional media might not. Odun Orimolade, Curatorial Director of the Yaba Art Museum, says, “This approach is effective because it bypasses intellectual barriers, connecting directly to the heart of the audience.”
The project underscores the role of youth in climate solutions. Toluwanimi Joshua believes young people can spread knowledge and inspire action more effectively than traditional methods. Joseph Ifefimihan emphasises that young people have a stake in addressing climate change, as they will face its long-term effects.
As the puppets prepare for their global tour, the students hope they will symbolise the need to protect the environment. Oladunjoye Ifeanyi Moses wants people to see the puppets as representations of wildlife and nature at risk due to climate change. The project has sparked ongoing environmental activism among the students. Joseph Ifefimihan plans to keep learning about climate issues and sharing his knowledge. Oladunjoye Moses intends to incorporate sustainability into his creative practice.
The puppets on the streets of Lagos appeared from April 18 to 20, 2025, with public processions in Ejigbo, Yaba, and Lagos Island. Local artists and puppeteers, many of them young people, performed alongside the puppets.
The project has changed the students. Toluwanimi Joshua now sees art as a tool for uniting people around climate action. Joseph Ifefimihan connects the puppets to Nigeria’s floods and heat, making climate change personal.
