Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture

24th Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture – January 30, 2026

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) hosted the 24th Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture on 30 January 2026 under the theme, “To Have and To Hold: Faith and Care of the Environment.” Held in honour of NCF’s founder and Nigeria’s foremost conservation pioneer, Chief S.L. Edu, the annual lecture continued its legacy as a leading platform for environmental thought leadership. The 2026 edition brought together faith leaders, policymakers, conservationists, academics, civil society, and development partners to explore the moral, spiritual, and ethical dimensions of environmental stewardship in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing environmental challenges.

The keynote lecture was delivered by Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, while Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, served as Special Guest of Honour. Discussions emphasized that caring for the environment is not only a policy or scientific responsibility but also a moral obligation rooted in faith, justice, and accountability. The event reinforced the importance of collective action across governments, faith communities, the private sector, and citizens to safeguard the environment for present and future generations.

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of NCF PhD Research Grants, sponsored by Chevron Nigeria Limited, to two outstanding researchers whose work focuses on sea turtle conservation and sustainable forest management. By supporting cutting-edge conservation research while fostering dialogue between faith, science, and policy, the 24th Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture reaffirmed NCF’s commitment to advancing knowledge, inspiring environmental leadership, and promoting sustainable solutions for Nigeria’s natural heritage.