The Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria), on Wednesday, unveiled its newly trained Zero Waste Marshals drawn from schools and residential estates across Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unveiling, which took place at Ajao Junior School, Anthony Village, marked a 2 milestone in the campaign for effective solid waste management in the state.

Speaking at the unveiling, Dr Leslie Adogame, the Executive Director of SRADev Nigeria, described the programme as a turning point in community-driven waste management and environmental education.

“Today’s event marks the culmination of a journey. You cannot effectively manage waste without adopting a zero waste approach.

“While the Lagos State Government has made commendable efforts in solid waste management, more support is needed to embed sustainable practices at the community level,” Adogame said.

He said SRADev identified and partnered three Lagos-based schools; Eko Akete High School, Anthony High School, and Ajao Estate Junior School, as well as several residential estates, to implement zero waste education modules.

He said students and residents received intensive training based on global zero waste standards over a period of six months.

According to him, schools were each equipped with three specialised waste bins: one for recyclables, one for non-recyclables, and one for organic waste.

He added that students were taught how to manage organic waste within the school premises, reducing the volume of waste sent to dumpsites.

“This initiative should cascade beyond schools into households and communities.

“We are calling for policy backing and partnerships, especially with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, to upscale and institutionalize zero waste practices,” Adogame said.

In support of the zero waste initiative, Mr Friday Oku, President of the Association of Scraps and Wastepickers of Lagos (ASWOL), described the initiative as a “dream come true” for waste pickers, who have long advocated for structured waste sorting at source.

Oku noted that ASWOL had partnered with SRADev since 2023 to raise awareness and promote behavioural change among Lagos residents.

“Waste separation is not only about cleanliness—it’s an economic opportunity for many in our communities,” Oku added.

The Principal of Eko Akete Senior School, Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye, described the zero waste programme as inspiring and transformational.

“Training students to see waste as wealth and take ownership of their environment is a commendable initiative. It prepares a generation to build a cleaner Lagos,” he said.

NAN reports that the students shared their excitement about being part of the initiative, saying it had transformed their understanding of the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma