U-Recycle Initiative Africa, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has launched the second edition of its ‘PlasticWize’ project to curb plastic pollution in Nigerian universities.
The initiative titled ‘Redefining Sustainable Campuses’ was launched in 2022 and is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
A statement on Monday by Timilehin Abioye, the organisation’s director of communications, said the initiative aims to empower student leaders and lecturers to implement behavioral and systemic changes on their campuses.
Abioye said the inaugural fellowship engaged over 2,000 students from 100 universities, deploying innovation workshops, training for young women, and installing “talking bins” to encourage waste reduction.
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He noted that eight fellows have been selected four Nigerian universities including Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), and the University of Lagos (UNILAG), to help achieve the organisation’s goal of plastic waste reduction.
Abioye reaffirmed the NGO’s commitment to promoting environmental education, advancing a circular economy, and driving climate action across Africa.
Olaoluwa Ogunkunle, a lecturer from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), commended the organisation for the training programme.
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“This is one of the best programmes I have attended in recent times, considering the age range of the participants and the expected outcomes of the training,” Ogunkunle said.
Adeyemo Fathiat, a student at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), said the campus leaders training exceeded her expectations and deepened her understanding of plastic pollution — an issue she has always wanted to learn more about as a health practitioner in the making.
