…as SCI supports Nigerian children to plant trees, drive plastic recycling initiatives

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – AS Nigeria joins rest of the world to commemorate World Environment Day 2025, youth and children have demanded stronger policies and private sector investment on biodegradable materials to reduce plastic pollution across the country.

Speaking on behalf of the youth and children, Save the Children I Climate Champion and Member, Teens Connect Africa, Abraham Sadiq, in a speech delivered to mark the Day, expressed pain over the increasing plastic pollution in the country, therefore, endangering the lives of youth and children, whereby, their space is shrinking and threatened.

Sadiq said: “While plastic has made modern life more convenient, we cannot ignore the reality. it has also become one of the most persistent threats to our environment, public health, and sustainable development.

“Today, on World Environment Day 2025, with the global theme ‘Ending Plastic Pollution’, we are reminded that plastic is not just a material problem; it is a human and planetary one.

“Let us take a look at Lagos, Nigeria, one of the largest cities on the African continent. According to the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Lagos generates approximately 2,250 tons of plastic waste daily, much of which is not collected or managed properly. As a result, over 70% ends up in landfills, drainage systems, and ultimately the ocean, disrupting marine ecosystems and urban infrastructure.On a continental scale, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reports that only 12% of plastic waste in Africa is recycled, while the rest contributes to pollution in our communities, toxic open-air burning, and blocked waterways leading to frequent urban flooding.

“We have all seen it, children playing near polluted canals, plastic waste floating in rivers, fish washing up dead on shores, or even losing entire harvests due to clogged irrigation channels. These images are no longer rare; they are the daily reality for millions.But here’s the important truth: Plastic pollution does not begin in the ocean, it begins with our choices.

“And that means we all have a role to play. Governments, industries, communities, and yes, we the youth.”

Four powerful steps: Reduce; Redesign; Reuse; and Recycle.

“Reduce: Let’s actively say no to single-use plastic. Whether it’s straws, sachets, or disposable packaging. if it’s not necessary, don’t use it. Choose more sustainable alternatives whenever you can; Redesign: We need stronger policies and private sector investment in sustainable packaging, biodegradable materials, and efficient waste systems. Innovation must replace convenience; Reuse: It’s time to make reusable items, bags, bottles, cutlery, a daily habit. What seems like a small choice becomes powerful when adopted at scale; Recycle: Let’s support and promote local recycling enterprises.

“Across Nigeria and Africa, young entrepreneurs are transforming plastic into pavement blocks, school furniture, artwork, and even clothing.

“According to the African Circular Economy Alliance, innovations like these are creating jobs while solving environmental problems.”

However, he made a call to all youth and children to get involved in the reduction and recycling of plastic wastes that have become a menace, “This issue isn’t someone else’s to fix—it’s ours. Especially as young people, we cannot afford to sit on the sidelines.

“We have the creativity, the voice, and the energy to lead this transformation. Africa’s population is the youngest in the world—imagine the power we have if we all commit to change.”

Meanwhile, SCI disclosed supporting children in Nigeria to plant trees, drive plastic recycling initiatives, and promote climate education in schools.

In a goodwill message delivered at the Youth/Children Summit in commemoration of World Environment Day 2025 in Abuja, thevAdvocacy and Campaign Officer, Save the Children International, SCI, Faith Osarentin, made it it known that the children in Nigeria have been actively engaged and also participate on ensuring the environment is safeguarded against plastic pollution, and for themselves, which SCI has offered safe and inclusive spaces for them alongside with other 54,000 children across the world to express their climate concerns, propose solutions, and influence environmental policies.

The global theme for the World Environment Day 2025 is, ‘Ending Plastic Pollution’, where young people and children spoke seriously and made their concerns and demands known for the government and relevant organisations to take urgent actions to protect the environment and their well-being as stakeholders.

….said: “This year’s global theme, “Ending Plastic Pollution,” resonates deeply with Save the Children’s mission to protect children’s rights and secure a healthy, sustainable future. As the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has rightly highlighted, plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with millions of tons of plastic entering our oceans annually, endangering biodiversity, human health, and livelihoods.

“Nigeria, with approximately 70% of its population under the age of 30, stands at a defining moment in the global climate movement. This youthful demographic presents both a unique opportunity and a solemn responsibility to drive transformative environmental action.

“The nation faces a mounting plastic pollution crisis with an estimated 2.5 million tons of plastic waste generated annually, yet only 12% is recycled (UNIDO, 2022). Recognising the urgency of the situation, the Federal Government took a commendable step in January 2025 by banning single-use plastics across all government offices, demonstrating leadership in tackling one of the most visible threats to our environment (Federal Ministry of Environment, 2025).

Children are powerful agents of climate change

“At Save the Children, we believe that children are not passive victims of climate change; they are powerful agents of change. Through our global Generation Hope Campaign, we are amplifying their voices and equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and platforms they need to lead environmental action within their communities.

“To date, the campaign has engaged over 54,000 children globally, offering safe and inclusive spaces for them to express their climate concerns, propose solutions, and influence environmental policies.

“In Nigeria, we have supported children to plant trees, promote climate education in schools, drive plastic recycling initiatives, and advocate with decision-makers at all levels.

Integrate children’s rights into climate policies and frameworks

“We strongly believe that children’s rights and lived experiences must be integrated into climate policies and frameworks for real and lasting impact.

“Today’s summit is a powerful testament to this vision. It creates a dynamic platform for youth engagement, mentorship, and innovation, while fostering direct interaction between young change-makers and experts in sectors such as public health, agriculture, renewable energy, and more.

“By doing so, we are nurturing a generation that is informed, empowered, and ready to confront environmental challenges head-on.

“As we reflect on the environmental threats we face, let us also celebrate the hope that resides in our children. Let us reaffirm our collective commitment to protect our planet, to centre children’s voices in climate discourse, and to work alongside them toward a resilient and sustainable future.

“Together, we can ensure that every child not only survives the climate crisis but also thrives and leads with hope.

“Let’s raise a generation that heals, not harms—a Generation with Hope.”

One of the organizers of the Youth/Children Summit, Clean Tech Hub said the young people are full of innovative ideas and creativity to combat the plastic waste crisis across the country but they are asking questions on how can they be funded, assisted to create green jobs, and protect the environment.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Summit, the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Clean Technology Hub, Ifeoma Malu, said, “One of the things that young people are asking is, how is government going to help support and push some of the initiatives they have? One of the questions that they’re asking the government officials on the panel is, we have all these ideas on this initiative.Where can we get funding? If you’re talking about green jobs, we’re not asking your government to give us jobs.

“We are already building things, Government, how can you come in and support us so that we even employ more people?

“So, and what the government is saying is, we have to find a way to build a database, a youth movement that can interact with them closer, so that when they are doing budgets, they can put some of these projects in the budgets”, Malu stated.

Meanwhile, according to her, a lot is being done by her organisation to reduce the use of plastic, “At Clean Tech Hub, we have been working in communities across Abuja and in about 18 other countries, trying to teach people how to reuse and recycle plastics and use them to make other things, like home decoration and stuff.

“So, in some of those communities, we have women who are now using that to start up their own small and micro-businesses, and are now adding income into the household, sending their kids back to school. So, it’s a way for us to benchmark where we are, but also to look forward and think of how much more we can do.”