With an estimated 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually, Nigeria ranks among the world’s biggest contributors to plastic pollution. In response, Travel Inn, through its Green Project Foundation, has teamed up with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to tackle the crisis, starting with a shoreline clean-up campaign in Lagos aimed at protecting aquatic life, promoting public health, and encouraging responsible waste disposal.
The initiative, part of Travel Inn’s corporate social responsibility efforts, seeks to raise awareness about the environmental and health risks of plastic pollution and its impact on marine ecosystems. Speaking at the event, the company’s founder highlighted how indiscriminate dumping of plastics into the ocean is harming aquatic species and threatening human health. She noted that since oceans produce about 70 percent of the world’s oxygen, their contamination directly affects air quality, tourism, and climate resilience.
The pollution crisis also poses economic risks for small-scale fishermen and coastal communities. Contaminated waters have led to declining fish quality, which, when consumed, can affect human health and livelihoods. “Most of the debris we find are plastics like water bottles and PET containers, which do not degrade like paper or other materials. This is why raising public awareness and changing behaviour is critical,” she said.
LAWMA’s managing director, represented by the head of advocacy, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting such clean-up drives and urged residents to dispose of waste properly by using the Private Sector Partnership (PSP) services. He stressed that continuous advocacy is essential to changing attitudes toward waste management and protecting shorelines.
NIMASA also emphasized the federal government’s concern for the nation’s marine environment. The agency revealed plans for a Marine Action Plan to safeguard Nigeria’s waters, further strengthening efforts to preserve marine biodiversity and improve environmental quality.
The Executive Director of Green Project Foundation added that the clean-up initiative is about more than removing waste, it is about improving public health and ensuring sustainable aquatic life. Tools such as litter bins, gloves, rakes, and wheelbarrows donated by NIMASA will be deployed to support the effort.
While the campaign currently focuses on Lagos, Travel Inn pledged to expand it to other parts of the country. The partners believe that sustained awareness, community involvement, and stronger waste management practices are key to reversing the tide of plastic pollution and protecting both people and the planet.
