The Foundation for a Better Environment (FABE) has successfully trained over 30,000 schoolchildren in environmental sustainability through its EcoSchoolsNG project, which began in 2016. The milestone was celebrated at the project’s 2024 closeout ceremony held recently in Lagos.
Temitope Okunnu, founder of the FABE Foundation and convener of the EcoSchoolsNG project, shared the vision behind the initiative. “The EcoSchoolsNG initiative was born out of a vision to empower young people with knowledge, skills, and a mindset to become champions of sustainability, stewards of the environment, and pioneers of the circular economy,” Okunnu said.
The initiative, which has been endorsed by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, is sponsored by organizations like Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation, Access Bank, and Danone. It aims to promote environmental sustainability across Nigeria, particularly focusing on educating the younger generation.
At the closeout ceremony, Okunnu emphasized the significance of collaboration in nurturing eco-conscious leaders. “It is with immense joy, pride, and gratitude that we welcome you to the EcoSchoolsNG Close-out Ceremony,” she said. “This event marks 10 months of hard work and commitment to sustainability and climate action. We are celebrating the birth of a new generation of eco-conscious leaders, climate advocates, green entrepreneurs, and eco-ambassadors ready to take bold steps in protecting our environment and shaping a more sustainable future.”
Over the course of the program, 20 secondary schools from various communities participated, with students gaining hands-on experience in areas like waste-to-wealth solutions, climate action strategies, conservation practices, and eco-preneurial business models. Okunnu called for active participation in the fight against climate change, stressing the urgency of addressing its impacts. “Let us commit to being not just spectators but active participants in the fight against climate change,” she said. “No one is immune from its impacts.”
Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, lauded the program’s success. “Since 2016, EcoSchoolsNG has trained and empowered over 30,000 students, youths, and women—a testament to what happens when knowledge meets action,” Oshodi affirmed. “You students have learned how to turn plastic waste into useful materials, how food scraps can become rich compost, and how even an old tyre can have a second life. You are the superheroes our planet needs.”
Dr. Gaji Tajudeen, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, represented by Bolaji Badru, praised the efforts of the FABE Foundation in instilling eco-conscious values in the students. “This groundbreaking project has not only instilled eco-conscious values in young minds but has also empowered students and teachers with practical skills in sustainable living, paving the way for a greener, healthier, and more prosperous future,” Tajudeen said.
Abiodun Owo, Programme Manager at Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation, expressed pride in the project’s impact on the environment. “We are very proud of what FABE Foundation is doing with young people on environmental sustainability. The impact of this training will result in a greener environment, more trees planted, and a shift away from single-use products towards reusable materials. At the end of the day, we will be protecting our planet, which is the long-term goal for climate action.”
With the continued success of EcoSchoolsNG, the FABE Foundation is nurturing a generation of environmentally aware individuals who will lead the charge in tackling climate change and advancing sustainability initiatives in Nigeria and beyond.
