French Embassy Funds Nigerian Universities' Plastic Waste Management

Over 2,000 residents in the Jakande Estate area of the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State are set to benefit from a €753,000 plastic waste management project launched by Johnson Idowu and the French Embassy's Cooperation and Cultural Department. This initiative involves 13 Nigerian universities with the aim of developing innovative ideas for reducing plastic waste while enhancing sustainable practices across campuses. 
 
The involved universities comprise Alex Ekwueme Federal University; Bayero University, Kano; Nile University of Nigeria; Covenant University; Babcock University; University of Jos; Obafemi Awolowo University; and University of Ibadan, among others. 
 
Jean-François Hasperue, the Acting French Ambassador to Nigeria, emphasized the vital role that universities play in shaping future generations during his speech at Abuja's inaugural steering committee meeting. He stated that this project is a significant stride towards achieving environmental sustainability worldwide. Furthermore, he explained how this venture aims at empowering Nigerian students to make meaningful contributions towards reducing waste plastic as well as addressing climate change issues. 
 
Hasperue mentioned their commitment to ensuring follow-up on commitments made under the Paris Agreement while extending partnerships with several countries. He further highlighted France’s involvement in funding projects aimed at combating poverty alongside fighting against climate change effects and biodiversity erosion through their contribution exceeding $6 billion in the "Paris Pact for People and Planets.". 
 
He outlined various components planned within this project over the next 18 months, which include setting up two micro-plants co-designed by two participating universities along with research initiatives focusing on sustainable development solutions. 
 
Sebastien Bede, Science and Higher Education Attache, described plastic waste as a pressing global issue, adding that they aspire to not only lower Nigerian campuses' plastic footprint but also inspire a new generation of environmental stewards who can advocate for a world free from plastics, starting in their immediate communities. 
 
Bede stressed that building cooperation between French and Nigerian universities was the ultimate objective behind this project, along with organizing study tours in Nigerian and French universities, business schools, and engineering schools to discuss potential areas of cooperation. 
 
The Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, stated that this project transcends beyond monetary aspects into the realm of value creation. He emphasized the need to make waste collection and the environment fashionable among youth by testing their hypotheses within campus environments. 
 
He shared their successful experience at the University of Lagos, where they managed to recycle waste, generating revenue over a million, which is being reinvested back while still having a significant amount of waste left for disposal. 
 
Prof. Abdulhameed Mambo from Nile University highlighted how around 70% of waste generated in Nigeria consists of food or recyclable organic material, while the remaining part includes vapor, metals, and plastic, constituting about 30%. 
 
This project, funded under FEF, is an initiative by the French government as part of global efforts against plastic pollution, aiming for complete implementation by December 2025.