<i>In vivo</i>, METTL3 knockdown attenuated UUO-induced renal injury and fibrosis, activating the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway.<h4>Conclusions</h4>METTL3 promotes renal fibrosis by stabilizing NLRC5 mRNA via m<sup>6</sup>A modification, leading to suppression of the protective Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway. Here, METTL3 is linked to renal fibrosis.