FG, partners mobilise youths to curb plastic waste in FCT, Nasarawa

Stakeholders in the environment sector have launched a renewed campaign to tackle plastic waste in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nasarawa State, placing youth innovation, awareness creation and policy support at the centre of efforts to reduce pollution and turn waste into economic value.

 

The initiative was unveiled at the inception and familiarisation event of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (SGP) 2.0, implemented by Digital Peer International, where government agencies, development partners and young innovators converged to chart practical solutions to Nigeria’s growing plastic waste challenge.

 

Chief Executive Officer of Digital Peer International, Dr. Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, said plastic waste remained one of the most dangerous threats to the environment because it is not easily degradable, stressing that the new phase of the programme was designed to respond directly to that reality.

 

“Plastic waste has been a problem in the country, and that is why we place a lot of emphasis on it. This programme is about creating awareness, showing practical examples of what people can do, and helping Nigerians understand that waste, especially plastic, can be turned into value.”

 

According to her, the first focus of the project is massive awareness creation through television, radio and social media.

 

“We are using the power of the media, and it goes beyond just the estates we are working with. People must understand why plastic waste is dangerous and what they can do about it,” she noted.

 

Odusote explained that waste segregation is another major pillar of the initiative, adding that Digital Peer International is working closely with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the Ministry of Environment to push policies that make separation of waste a priority nationwide.

 

“That is why AEPB and the Ministry of Environment are here. Policies will be put in place that will guide how plastic waste is managed in this country,” she said.

 

She said the programme also targets youth empowerment by encouraging young people to see plastic waste as a business opportunity rather than a nuisance.

 

“Instead of throwing plastics all over the place and making a mess, young people can actually make money out of it. It is about youth empowerment, creativity and innovation that bring economic value to people,” she said, adding that the project would help “replace poverty with money in the hands of people.”

 

Odusote further revealed that producers of plastic-packaged goods, including water and soft drink companies, are being engaged to take responsibility for the lifecycle of their products.

 

“They can still sell their products, but they must give back to the community by ensuring people know how to dispose of plastic properly. This has been done in other countries, and we believe Nigeria can do it too,” she said.

 

She added that supermarkets were also being encouraged to stop the routine use of nylon bags. “When people go shopping, they should take reusable bags. We cannot keep filling our streets and drainage with nylon,” she said, expressing confidence that “by the end of one year, so much would have happened.”

 

National Coordinator of the UNDP Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme,  Dr. Ibironke Olubamise, said the plastic waste menace in Nigeria is largely driven by lack of awareness and the belief that only government can solve environmental problems.

 

“One of the reasons we have this challenge is lack of awareness. Many people think they cannot do anything and are waiting for government.”

 

 

“But we have seen over and over again that solutions can come from individuals, communities or organisations, and then government buys into it and scales it up.”

 

Michael said environmental degradation, including excessive heat and flooding, is closely linked to human actions.

 

“People complain about heat, but they don’t realise it is because trees are gone. Under a tree, you hardly feel the heat, but once you step out, you begin to sweat. Our actions are causing these problems,” he said.

 

While acknowledging infrastructure challenges, he argued that mindset is a bigger issue. “I do not believe facilities are limited in Nigeria. Necessity is the mother of invention. Even where facilities seem limited, we can come up with solutions,” he said.

 

He cited Rwanda’s success in eliminating plastic use and Lagos State’s ban on styrofoam as evidence that change is possible. “Nobody has died because of the styrofoam ban in Lagos. The challenge may be big and the solution may not be instant, but nothing is impossible,” he added.

 

A representative of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Engr Sherifat Lawal, said the agency is intensifying efforts to manage both solid and liquid waste across the city, while also calling on residents to take responsibility for the waste they generate.

 

“We are responsible for carrying waste across districts, but residents also have a role to play. Many of the wastes people generate are useful. Plastics can be separated from general waste, reused or recycled, and this will reduce the volume of waste in our environment and help keep Abuja clean.”

 

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Digital Peer International, Dr. Akin Fakonda linked environmental degradation to poverty and poor waste practices, warning that ignoring plastic pollution amounts to destroying the future.

 

“Poverty is real, but there is dignity even in poverty. We must still dispose of waste appropriately. One piece of plastic can take up to 50 years to decay. It does not just go away, so we must do something about it.”

 

Fakonda described the Digital Peer International project as innovative, noting that the approval of its second phase showed that the first phase delivered results. 

 

He said the programme would engage about 24,000 youths in the coming weeks, turning them into environmental ambassadors across the country.

 

“Once you are informed and educated, you are in the best position to act. We may be late, but it is good that we have started,” he said.

 

In his welcome address, the host organisation described SGP 2.0 as a significant expansion of the 2024 phase, designed to deepen community engagement, strengthen partnerships and harness youth creativity to address plastic waste challenges in the FCT and Nasarawa State.

 

“This marks not just the launch of a project, but the celebration of youth innovation and the power of collective action,” the host said, thanking the UNDP, GEF Small Grants Programme, academic institutions and participating youths for their support.

 

Youth participants also shared their expectations, with one innovator explaining that the focus was on reusing plastic bottles creatively.

 

“Instead of using plastic bottles once, we want to reuse them multiple times and encourage reuse, reduction and recycling,” the participant said.

 

Another participant, Blessing Yves Eunwe, said the programme would shape her personal habits. “The goal is to teach us responsible plastic use and responsible waste management. What I am taking from this is a culture of living responsibly and managing waste properly,” she said.

 

As the programme kicks off, stakeholders expressed optimism that sustained awareness, youth-led innovation and supportive policies would help Nigeria reduce plastic pollution and build a cleaner, greener environment.