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The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and Chevron Nigeria Limited, has organised the 19th edition of its annual Walk for Nature, calling for urgent action to address the growing menace of plastic pollution in Lagos State. The event, held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, brought together hundreds of participants, including representatives of government agencies, corporate organisations, students, environmental activists, and community leaders. Themed “Lagos, Let’s Beat Plastic Pollution,” the walk focused on raising public awareness about the harmful effects of plastic waste on the environment, human health, and marine life. According to the organisers, the Walk for Nature has remained the flagship environmental advocacy programme of the NCF for almost two decades. The foundation said the annual event continues to serve as a unifying platform for people from different sectors to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development. Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr. Joseph Onoja, said the 2025 edition marked a special milestone because it was held for the first time within a tertiary institution. He explained that Yaba College of Technology was chosen to host the event in order to engage young people who represent the majority of Nigeria’s population. “Plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue; it is a lifestyle challenge that affects our health, our cities, and our future,” Onoja said. “The 19th Walk for Nature is our way of calling everyone, especially young people, to take responsibility for their choices. Each time we refuse single-use plastics or choose to recycle, we move Lagos one step closer to a sustainable future.” Onoja stressed that solving plastic pollution requires both policy reforms and personal responsibility. He said the NCF was committed to working with partners in government and the private sector to reduce Nigeria’s plastic footprint through recycling, environmental education, and stronger waste management policies. He also commended the Lagos State Government for taking a bold step earlier in the year by banning single-use plastics and polythene bags below 40 microns. The NCF boss said such policies would help reduce plastic waste generation and protect urban drainage systems from blockages that often lead to flooding during heavy rainfall. Representing the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Olasunkanmi Ajayi, said the government was determined to build a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Lagos. She explained that the state’s plastic control policy could only succeed with active public support and cooperation from residents, schools, and corporate organisations. Ajayi said, “The government alone cannot solve the problem of plastic pollution. Every Lagos resident must be part of the solution by reducing, reusing, and recycling plastics. This is how we can make our city cleaner and safer for all.” Chevron Nigeria Limited, which has supported the Walk for Nature for several years, also reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability. The company’s Corporate Responsibility Manager, Mr. Akin Akinyosoye, said the partnership with NCF aligns with Chevron’s global environmental goals and its efforts to reduce waste generation in its operations. He said, “We believe in shared responsibility when it comes to protecting the environment. Our collaboration with NCF and the Lagos State Government is part of our broader commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.” During the walk, participants marched through parts of Yaba carrying banners and placards with messages such as “Refuse Single-Use Plastics,” “Keep Lagos Clean,” “Recycle for the Future,” and “Protect Our Planet.” The colourful event also featured musical performances and short talks on waste segregation, recycling, and the importance of youth participation in environmental conservation. Environmental experts present at the event emphasised that Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial hub, faces one of the highest levels of plastic waste generation in the country. The city produces about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, of which roughly 15 percent—or about 870,000 tonnes annually—is plastic waste. Much of this ends up in landfills, drainage channels, and water bodies, causing pollution and threatening marine biodiversity. Experts warned that if immediate action is not taken to curb plastic waste, the problem could worsen, affecting not only marine life but also human health through the contamination of food and water sources. The NCF expressed optimism that through continued collaboration between government, businesses, schools, and communities, Lagos could become a model city for environmental responsibility and sustainable living.
