Lagos, Nigeria (Tuesday, 13 June 2023) – In furtherance of Oando Foundation’s commitment to promoting environmental education and sustainable action for pupils in target schools and their host communities in Lagos State, the Foundation extended the scope of the third phase of the ‘Clean Our World’ (COW) Project in partnership with the Japanese Chemical Company, Sumitomo Chemical.

It is estimated that Nigeria generates over 32 million tons of solid waste annually, of which more than 30% is plastic. Education is an essential element of the global response to environmental sustainability with direct benefits in behavioral change as well as improvement in learner achievements. When environmental education is integrated into the curriculum, pupils are more enthusiastic and engaged in learning, which improves learner achievement in
core academic areas. Creating awareness on recycling, environmental responsibility and sustainability will help explain, inform, motivate, persuade, and encourage beneficiaries in target schools and communities to embrace behavioral changes necessary for long-term impact.

Launched in October 2020, the COW project aims to improve environmental education and recyclable waste management in target schools and their host communities across Lagos State with the knowledge of plastic recycling and waste management, whilst encouraging the adoption of Eco-conscious lifestyles. Following the successes recorded in phases one and two of the COW project, the third phase is being implemented by GreenHubAfrica Foundation in the following schools and communities: Dele Ajomale Schools Complex (I–IV) Ilasamaja, Metropolitan Primary School, Orile-Iganmu, Olisa School Complex (I–II), Mushin, Ireti Schools Complex (I–III), Badia, Akinbaiye Schools Complex (I-III), Isolo, Ishaga Schools Complex (I–II) Mushin, Itire Schools Complex (I–II) Mushin, Irepodun Primary School II, Orile-Iganmu and Irakari Primary School II, Orile-Iganmu.

Working collaboratively with key stakeholders in the state and local communities, the project prioritizes:

• Climate Action content development for standardization and effective delivery of environmental education in public primary schools;
• Capacity strengthening for teachers and master trainers to aid knowledge transfer at scale;
• In-school Eco-conscious activities such as gardening, up-cycling, environmental club activities, deployed in target schools to encourage environmental responsibility and positive action;
• Community clean-up and sensitization exercises in target communities
• Maintenance of plastic waste collection protocol to encourage community-wide plastic recycling;
• Inter-school competitions to engender innovation and creativity among pupils based on knowledge acquired; and
• Thought leadership through advocacy to raise awareness, exchange resources, and spark greater public interest in environmental issues.

To date, over 26,000 beneficiaries in 24 public primary schools and 10 communities have been directly reached with the knowledge of climate change, sustainable environmental practices and proper waste management approaches and upcycling under the COW project. Cleanup and sensitization campaigns have been implemented in 5 communities; 258 teachers and education managers trained, 10,094kg of plastic waste recycled, and several in-school
activities delivered to strengthen project objectives.

“Implementing the third phase of the Clean Our World project with support from our partner, Sumitomo Chemical, and other stakeholders has been remarkable” said Adekanla Adegoke, the Head, Oando Foundation. “We are consolidating on the gains of earlier project phases, introducing tailored climate action lessons alongside other sustainability-focused environmental activities. Our aim is to equip these children with requisite knowledge and skills
to contribute meaningfully towards a cleaner world”.

Oando Foundation continues to witness significant improvement in overall awareness and adoption of sustainable waste management and eco-conscious practices, with evident benefits at school and community levels. For sustainability of the project’s gains, Oando Foundation is working with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board and GreenHubAfrica Foundation to develop a Climate Action Environmental Education Syllabus and Lesson
Plans to aid state-wide deployment of environmental education lessons using edutainment.

According to Mrs. Okunade Deborah, Head Teacher of Ajibola Ayedere Primary School, “Before now, most of these pupils are usually idle when they are at home. The upcycling skills, which they have learned during this project has empowered their minds. Now, they have relevant activities to keep them busy. We thank Oando Foundation and GreenHubAfrica Foundation for focusing on these children and fortifying them with hands-on activities. They
are now becoming innovative with things that they would have thrown away in the past.”

On her part, Mrs. Ajibola of Dele Ajomale Primary School in Oshodi-Isolo Council, who also spoke on the impact of the project, said: “The kids now appreciate the value that they can get from recycling. They have taken it as a culture to bring plastic bottles to the school and ensure that they are properly collated for collection.”

Proceeds from the plastic buyback is used to support beneficiary schools, improving teaching, and learning delivery, whilst contributing to Co2 reduction from reckless disposal of plastic wastes.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Sumitomo Chemical is one of Japan’s leading chemical companies, offering a diverse range of products globally in the fields of petrochemicals, energy and functional materials, IT-related chemicals, health and crop science products and pharmaceuticals.

Oando Foundation is committed to designing and implementing multi-dimensional education interventions that support our schools, communities, and the Nigerian government in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals.

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About Oando Foundation:

Oando Foundation is an independent charity established in 2011 by Oando PLC, one of Africa’s leading indigenous energy solutions providers. The Foundation aims to support the Nigerian Government in achieving universal basic education. Its mission is to radically improve the quality of teaching and learning in Nigerian schools and communities by ensuring access to world class basic education systems.

The Foundation effectively leverages Oando PLC’s in-kind donations and direct programme support, whilst establishing strategic partnerships with government, the private sector, and civil society to fulfill its goals and objectives.

Oando Foundation has adopted 88 schools across 22 states and the FCT. The goal is to significantly improve the learning outcomes of over 200,000 pupils through the Adopt-ASchool-Initiative (AASI). The AASI is a holistic school improvement approach that comprises Infrastructural Development (WASH inclusive), Teacher Training, ICT Education, Early Childcare Education, Provision of scholarships, stakeholder/community capacity
strengthening, and advocacy initiatives aimed at improving access to education.

Learn more about the Foundation at www.oandofoundation.org.

For further information, please contact:

Adekanla Adegoke
Head, Oando Foundation
Wings Complex, 17a Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue
Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Email: aadegoke@oandofoundation.or