In a move to strengthen environmental consciousness among young people, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and the Environmental Plus Sustainability Network (EPPlus) have organized a competition that empowered secondary school students across the state to tackle plastic pollution with innovative ideas.
The initiative, themed “Towards a Future with Zero Plastic Pollution,” was held under the banner of Project SOLVE 2.0: Solutions for a Viable Environment. The event took place at the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, bringing together students from public and private secondary schools across Lagos.
The competition served as a platform for students to present practical and creative proposals focused on reducing plastic waste within their schools and immediate communities. It underscored the state government’s effort to inspire young environmental leaders who can contribute to a cleaner and healthier Lagos.
Among the ten finalist schools were Ojodu Junior High School — Success Team, Grandmates School — The Collectables: From Litres to Leadership, Keke Senior High School — Trash to Treasure, Bolade Senior Grammar School — Transparent Land, Army Cantonment Junior School — Green Minds, Birch Freeman Senior High School — EcoVators, Ikeja Senior Grammar School — EcoCycle, Oke Ira Senior Grammar School — Young Environmentalist (Environment Bee), and Oshodi Comprehensive Junior High School — Nature Lovers.
After a series of assessments, Oke Ira Senior Grammar School emerged as the overall winner, earning a ₦500,000 cash prize, while Grandmates School and Oshodi Comprehensive Junior High School claimed the second and third positions respectively.
Speaking at the ceremony, the General Manager of LASEPA, Tunde Ajayi, emphasized that the initiative reflected the agency’s strategic commitment to youth involvement in environmental protection and sustainability.
“This competition tests and assesses students’ understanding of environmental issues in their curriculum and motivates them to innovate,” he explained.
“The essence is to highlight partnerships with organisations like S-Plus and stimulate young people to be deliberate about eradicating plastic waste and cleaning our drains and waterways,” Ajayi added.
He further stressed that the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency’s role extended beyond creating awareness, as the agency continues to enforce and implement key environmental measures including drainage clearing, emission reduction, and pollution control.
Also speaking at the event, Mosadoluwa Otenaike, Deputy Team Lead of Environmental Plus Sustainability Network, shared insight into how the initiative came about.
“We invited secondary schools to submit proposals addressing specific environmental issues in their schools or communities. We received hundreds of entries and narrowed them down to the final 10 showcased today,” Otenaike explained.
She noted that Project SOLVE was not a one-time activity but part of a long-term commitment to nurture young minds to take ownership of environmental change. According to her, the winning school will be mentored and supported until their proposed project is implemented. She also expressed hope that more private schools would participate in future editions to broaden the impact.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Sojinu Olasunkanmi, who serves as the Director of Environmental Assessment, commended the collaboration between the non-profit sector and the government.
“What we are seeing here today is the result of an effective collaboration between a nonprofit organisation and government, trying to bring innovative solutions to plastic waste using school students as agents of change,” Olasunkanmi said.
The event highlighted the growing importance of inter-agency and community partnerships in achieving environmental sustainability and reducing plastic waste in Lagos State.
Okay News reports that the competition aligns with the Lagos State Government’s broader vision of promoting eco-friendly initiatives and grooming the next generation of sustainability advocates capable of addressing waste management issues through innovation and education.
By focusing on the creativity of young students, the state continues to set a strong example of how education can drive sustainable development and environmental responsibility in urban communities.
