Where we are going
Vision Statement
To build environmentally resilient, sustainable, and inclusive urban and rural communities across Nigeria and Africa through innovation, research, community empowerment, and strategic partnerships.
Nigeria & Africa
WELCOME TO NURERSDI
Neo-Tropical Urban Rural Environmental Resilience and Sustainable Development Initiative
One river runs through the city and the village alike. We work on both banks — joining research, green innovation, and community action to build environments that hold up under pressure.
- People
- Planet
- Wildlife
- Prosperity
What drives us
A shared commitment, written down
How we get there
Mission Statement
To promote sustainable development across urban and rural communities in Nigeria and Africa by advancing environmental education, research, advocacy, capacity building, policy engagement, green innovation, and practical community-based interventions that enhance environmental resilience, improve livelihoods, and foster sustainable resource management.
Core values
Five principles that govern every project
They set the standard for how we plan, who we include, and what we report back.
Sustainability
We are committed to promoting environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable practices that protect natural resources and enhance the well-being of present and future generations.
Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of honesty, transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in all our activities, partnerships, and engagements.
Innovation
We embrace creativity, research, and technology-driven solutions to address environmental and developmental challenges effectively and sustainably.
Inclusiveness
We value diversity and ensure the active participation of all stakeholders, including urban and rural communities, women, youth, vulnerable groups, government, and the private sector in sustainable development initiatives.
Accountability
We are responsible stewards of resources and remain answerable to our beneficiaries, partners, donors, and communities by delivering measurable, impactful, and transparent outcomes.
Programs & initiatives
Ten programs, from the classroom to the policy table
Innovative, community-driven, and evidence-based work across environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and socio-economic development.
Environmental Education and Awareness
Building environmental literacy in schools and communities so that protection and conservation become everyday practice.
Sustainable Urban Development Programme
Planning, greening, and governing cities so that growth and environmental quality advance together.
Rural Environmental Development Initiative
Strengthening rural livelihoods through community-led stewardship of land, water, and natural resources.
Integrated Waste Management and Circular Economy Programme
Turning waste streams into value through reduction, segregation, recycling, and reuse at community scale.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Initiative
Expanding access to clean, affordable energy and reducing household and community energy waste.
Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Programme
Helping vulnerable communities prepare for climate risk while restoring the ecosystems that buffer them.
On the ground
Work that shows up in daily life
A recycling point that actually gets used. A solar array a community can maintain. A watershed mapped before the rains, not after. We measure our programs by what still stands a year later.
home-impact.jpgCommunity members at a NURERSDI field site
Partner with us on the next project
Government agencies, schools, NGOs, development partners, and private sector organisations are welcome to collaborate.
about-banner.jpgNURERSDI leadership team working with a local community
Who we are
An initiative built for two landscapes at once
Most environmental work chooses a side — the city or the village. NURERSDI was formed on the premise that the two are one system: the waste stream, the watershed, the energy grid, and the climate that shapes them all cross the boundary freely. So do we.
Where we are going
Vision Statement
To build environmentally resilient, sustainable, and inclusive urban and rural communities across Nigeria and Africa through innovation, research, community empowerment, and strategic partnerships.
How we get there
Mission Statement
To promote sustainable development across urban and rural communities in Nigeria and Africa by advancing environmental education, research, advocacy, capacity building, policy engagement, green innovation, and practical community-based interventions that enhance environmental resilience, improve livelihoods, and foster sustainable resource management.
Core values
The standards we hold ourselves to
Sustainability
We are committed to promoting environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable practices that protect natural resources and enhance the well-being of present and future generations.
Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of honesty, transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in all our activities, partnerships, and engagements.
Innovation
We embrace creativity, research, and technology-driven solutions to address environmental and developmental challenges effectively and sustainably.
Inclusiveness
We value diversity and ensure the active participation of all stakeholders, including urban and rural communities, women, youth, vulnerable groups, government, and the private sector in sustainable development initiatives.
Accountability
We are responsible stewards of resources and remain answerable to our beneficiaries, partners, donors, and communities by delivering measurable, impactful, and transparent outcomes.
Leadership
The team behind the work
A multidisciplinary leadership team spanning environmental science, urban planning, community development, policy, and green technology.
board-1.jpgPortrait of Rev. Dr. Tony Aku Amba, MNES, MEMAN, MAEIAN, MICAD
Rev. Dr. Tony Aku Amba, MNES, MEMAN, MAEIAN, MICAD
Chairman of the Board / Chief Executive Officer
Immediate Past Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Environmental Society. A scholar and environmental sustainability researcher whose work spans environmental management, ecological resilience, sustainable development, media engagement, and public policy. Author of Environmental Sustainability in Theory and Practice.
board-2.jpgPortrait of Barrister Adze T. Amba
Barrister Adze T. Amba
Company Secretary
Oversees the initiative’s legal, governance, and statutory compliance matters.
board-3.jpgPortrait of Dr. (Mrs) Nanbil Amba
Dr. (Mrs) Nanbil Amba
Public Relations Officer / Board Member
Leads communications, media engagement, and public outreach for the initiative.
board-4.jpgPortrait of Dr. Andesikuteb Yakubu Ali, MNES
Dr. Andesikuteb Yakubu Ali, MNES
Board Member
Contributes technical and strategic oversight across the initiative’s programme areas.
Join the initiative
Volunteers, researchers, and partner organisations shape what we are able to do next.
programs-banner.jpgRenewable energy installation or community waste management site
Ten programme areas
Innovative, community-driven, evidence-based
NURERSDI implements programmes designed to promote environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and socio-economic development across urban and rural communities in Nigeria and Africa.
01
Environmental Education and Awareness
Building environmental literacy in schools and communities so that protection and conservation become everyday practice.
- Environmental sustainability education in schools and communities
- Public awareness campaigns on environmental protection and conservation
- Eco-clubs and environmental literacy programmes
- Community sensitization on climate change and pollution prevention
02
Sustainable Urban Development Programme
Planning, greening, and governing cities so that growth and environmental quality advance together.
- Promotion of sustainable cities and communities
- Urban environmental planning and management
- Green infrastructure and smart city initiatives
- Capacity building for urban environmental governance
03
Rural Environmental Development Initiative
Strengthening rural livelihoods through community-led stewardship of land, water, and natural resources.
- Community-based natural resource management
- Sustainable agriculture and land restoration
- Rural sanitation and environmental health programmes
- Livelihood enhancement through environmental conservation
04
Integrated Waste Management and Circular Economy Programme
Turning waste streams into value through reduction, segregation, recycling, and reuse at community scale.
- Waste reduction, segregation, recycling, and reuse initiatives
- Community recycling centres and waste collection campaigns
- Plastic pollution reduction programmes
- Promotion of circular economy practices
05
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Initiative
Expanding access to clean, affordable energy and reducing household and community energy waste.
- Promotion of solar and other renewable energy technologies
- Energy efficiency awareness campaigns
- Clean cooking and alternative energy solutions
- Community renewable energy demonstration projects
06
Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Programme
Helping vulnerable communities prepare for climate risk while restoring the ecosystems that buffer them.
- Climate resilience planning for vulnerable communities
- Tree planting and afforestation campaigns
- Carbon reduction and ecosystem restoration initiatives
- Disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation projects
07
Water Resources Management Programme
Protecting watersheds and improving water, sanitation, and hygiene outcomes for communities.
- Water conservation and watershed protection
- Community water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives
- Water quality assessment and monitoring
- Advocacy for sustainable water resource policies
08
Green Technology and Innovation Programme
Backing the technologies, digital tools, and green enterprises that make sustainability practical.
- Promotion of environmentally friendly technologies
- Research and innovation for sustainable development
- Digital solutions for environmental monitoring
- Green entrepreneurship and technology incubation
09
Research, Policy, and Advocacy Programme
Generating the evidence that shapes better environmental policy, and carrying it to decision-makers.
- Environmental impact and sustainability assessments
- Policy research and development
- Publication of research findings and policy briefs
- Stakeholder engagement and environmental policy advocacy
10
Community Capacity Building and Partnerships
Growing the people and partnerships that sustain environmental work long after a project ends.
- Professional training workshops and seminars
- Leadership development for environmental sustainability
- Community outreach and volunteer programmes
- Strategic partnerships with government agencies, educational institutions, NGOs, development partners, and the private sector
Bring a programme to your community
Tell us about the environmental challenge you are facing and we will map it against the programme areas above.
events-banner.jpgCommunity tree-planting campaign in progress
agingi-2.jpgPlanting seedlings at Agingi village, Bassa LGA, Plateau State
event-conference.jpgEcospirituality conference session, May 2026
Upcoming events
What is coming up
Workshops, field campaigns, and roundtables open to communities, schools, professionals, and partner organisations.
No events currently scheduled
Dates for the next campaign, workshop, or field day will be announced here. To be notified, or to request an event in your community, get in touch.
Latest activity
Landscaping at Rockhaven, Jos
On Monday 27 July 2026, NURERSDI staff carried out a landscaping exercise at Rockhaven in Jos, Plateau State — ground preparation, planting, and shaping of the green space as part of the initiative’s urban greening work.
rockhaven1.jpgLandscaping work underway at Rockhaven, Jos
rockhaven2.jpgNURERSDI staff preparing the ground
rockhaven3.jpgPlanting and bed formation
rockhaven4.jpgShaping the landscaped area
rockhaven5.jpgThe team at the Rockhaven site
Past events
Where we have already been
agingi-1.jpgWorld Environment Day — Agingi Village Tree Planting
5 June 2026
World Environment Day — Agingi Village Tree Planting
Community tree-planting and environmental activities marking World Environment Day, carried out with residents of Agingi village.
event-communion.jpgWorld Environment Day Communion Service
5 June 2026
World Environment Day Communion Service
A communion service held to mark World Environment Day, opening the day’s environmental activities with a call to creation care and stewardship.
event-conference.jpgEcospirituality in a Mismanaged Environment
21–23 May 2026
Ecospirituality in a Mismanaged Environment
A three-day conference examining the relationship between faith, ecological responsibility, and environmental mismanagement, attended by NURERSDI representatives.
Host an event with us
Schools, community associations, and organisations can request a workshop or field campaign in their area.
publications-banner.jpgBook launch, lecture, or research activity
book-cover.jpgFront cover of Environmental Sustainability in Theory and Practice
New release
Environmental Sustainability in Theory and Practice
The book bridges foundational concepts with real-world solutions for the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges, combining multidisciplinary perspectives with practical approaches meant to build knowledge, drive action, and support a sustainable future.
Sustainability is not just a goal — it is a way of thinking, a way of living, and a way forward. The time to act is now.
Inside the book
What you will find
Theory made relevant
Clear explanations of the key sustainability theories, frameworks, and principles.
Practice that matters
Real-world case studies, tools, and strategies for implementing sustainable solutions.
Interdisciplinary approach
Insights from ecology, economics, policy, technology, and the social sciences, drawn together into a holistic understanding.
Global perspective
Sustainability challenges and innovations examined across communities, industries, and ecosystems.
Action for impact
Practical guidance for students, professionals, policymakers, and changemakers seeking lasting environmental impact.
Journal articles & book chapters
Selected research
Peer-reviewed work spanning environmental sustainability, green architecture, urban policy, biodiversity, and the built environment.
Family Architecture: From the Extended Structure to the Modern Nucleus and Contemporary Alternatives
Explores the evolution of domestic spaces as spatial matrixes of power and gender identity, analysing how shifting family structures and housing typologies shape, and are shaped by, social hierarchies.
Read moreThe Role of Architecture in Promoting Environmental Sustainability
Assesses how sustainable architectural practices such as passive design and material efficiency can improve energy conservation and environmental performance in Nigeria’s built environment.
Read moreThe Architectural Heritage of the Banque de l’Indochine Headquarters in Vietnam: A Symbol of Colonial Power and Spatial Identity
Examines the historical and architectural evolution of the Banque de l’Indochine buildings in Vietnam, showing how structural design was used to project French colonial dominance while adapting to tropical climates.
Read moreExploring the Challenges of Urbanization on Housing in Ado Ekiti’s Traditional Core Area, Focusing on Dwelling Physical Characteristics
Investigates the physical impacts of rapid urbanization on traditional housing structures in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria, and underscores the need for heritage-sensitive urban upgrading policies.
Read moreModern Environmental Sustainability Measures: A Critical Evaluation of their Application in Environmental Practice in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria
Highlights the gap between awareness of environmental policies and their practical implementation in Southern Kaduna, citing weak enforcement and limited funding as major barriers.
Read moreMoral Ecology: An Interdisciplinary Framework for Environmental Sustainability
Proposes moral ecology as a critical framework for environmental action in Nigeria, demonstrating that strong ethical orientation and moral responsibility significantly predict pro-environmental behaviours and demands for governance accountability.
Read moreSustainable Processes and Manufacturing and their Environmental Impact
Evaluates the environmental benefits and adoption challenges of sustainable manufacturing and closed-loop construction practices within the industrial sectors of Jos metropolis, Nigeria.
Read moreEnvironmental Sustainability and Cybersecurity in Nigeria: A Survey of Stakeholders’ Perceptions in Jos Metropolis
Analyses the intersection of environmental governance and cybersecurity, revealing that safeguarding digital infrastructure is essential for resilient sustainable development in Nigeria.
Read moreAssessing Green Architecture as a Strategy for Environmental Sustainability in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State
Investigates the adoption of green architectural principles in Jos Metropolis, concluding that despite implementation challenges, sustainable building practices significantly enhance energy efficiency and urban resilience.
Read moreArtificial Intelligence and Environmental Sustainability in International Political Economy: Implications for Nigeria
Examines the deployment of artificial intelligence for environmental monitoring in Nigeria, highlighting how infrastructural deficits and global political-economic dependencies limit the technology’s full sustainability potential.
Read moreUrban Green Infrastructure Policy as a Tool for Climate Adaptation: An Empirical Assessment
Demonstrates that urban green infrastructure effectively mitigates heat and flood risks in Nigerian cities, though its success relies heavily on robust policy frameworks and funding.
Read moreBiodiversity Loss and its Implication for Ecosystem Sustainability in Sanga Local Government Area, Kaduna State
Investigates the anthropogenic drivers of biodiversity decline in Sanga, establishing a direct correlation between species loss and compromised ecosystem functions such as soil stability and water retention.
Read moreBlue, Green and Circular Economies as a Panacea to Environmental Sustainability: An Empirical Assessment
Quantitatively evaluates the combined impact of blue, green, and circular economic paradigms on environmental sustainability, finding that circular economy practices exert the most immediate positive influence.
Read moreAbout the author
Rev. Dr. Tony Aku Amba
MNES · MEMAN · MAEIAN · MICAD
Immediate Past Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Environmental Society, and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of NURERSDI.
A Nigerian scholar, environmental sustainability researcher, and development practitioner whose work sits at the intersection of environmental management, ecological resilience, sustainable development, media engagement, and public policy. He is active in academic research and advocacy on environmental sustainability, climate change adaptation, hazardous waste management, biodiversity conservation, ecological footprint assessment, and the role of faith-based organisations in promoting environmental stewardship.
book-back.jpgBack cover of Environmental Sustainability in Theory and Practice
Interested in the book?
Get in touch for copies, bulk orders for institutions, or to invite the author to speak.
gallery-banner.jpgOn-the-ground impact photography from field programmes
Media gallery
Filter by programme and year
15 photographs
Programme
Year
agingi-1.jpgPlanting a seedling at Agingi village
Planting a seedling at Agingi village
Afforestation · 2026
agingi-2.jpgFirming the soil around a young palm
Firming the soil around a young palm
Afforestation · 2026
agingi-3.jpgSetting the seedling in place
Setting the seedling in place
Afforestation · 2026
agingi-4.jpgSeedling planted and secured
Seedling planted and secured
Afforestation · 2026
agingi-5.jpgBackfilling the planting hole
Backfilling the planting hole
Afforestation · 2026
agingi-6.jpgPreparing soil from the seedling bag
Preparing soil from the seedling bag
Afforestation · 2026
agingi-7.jpgVolunteer planting on the open field
Volunteer planting on the open field
Afforestation · 2026
agingi-8.jpgDigging in across the Agingi site
Digging in across the Agingi site
Afforestation · 2026
event-communion.jpgWorld Environment Day communion service
World Environment Day communion service
Community Engagement · 2026
event-conference.jpgEcospirituality conference session
Ecospirituality conference session
Education & Advocacy · 2026
rockhaven1.jpgLandscaping at Rockhaven, Jos
Landscaping at Rockhaven, Jos
Urban Greening · 2026
rockhaven2.jpgPreparing the ground at Rockhaven
Preparing the ground at Rockhaven
Urban Greening · 2026
rockhaven3.jpgPlanting and bed formation
Planting and bed formation
Urban Greening · 2026
rockhaven4.jpgShaping the landscaped area
Shaping the landscaped area
Urban Greening · 2026
rockhaven5.jpgThe team at the Rockhaven site
The team at the Rockhaven site
Urban Greening · 2026
No photographs match that combination yet. Try another programme or year.
Have footage from one of our field days?
Volunteers and partners are welcome to contribute photographs to the archive.
contact-banner.jpgNURERSDI team meeting with community stakeholders
Office address
NURERSDI Avenue
4 Ajik Agwom Izang Street
Rockhaven Phase 3
Opposite New Stadium
Off Goodluck Jonathan Road
Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Office hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (WAT)
Send a message
How can we help?
Find us
Visit the secretariat
Walk-in visits are welcome during office hours. We recommend calling ahead so the right team member is available.
Volunteer with NURERSDI
Field campaigns, school outreach, data collection, and community training all run on volunteer support.