By Innocent Onoh
The Nigerian public and all tiers of government have been urged to act swiftly against the escalating menace of plastic pollution, which threatens public health, biodiversity, and the nation’s environmental future. This was the resounding message from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) as it marked World Environment Day 2025 with a massive clean-up drive.
The event, organized by UNILAG Green Hub in collaboration with the Society for Ecological Restoration, mobilized students, faculty, environmental advocates, and volunteers in a campus-wide effort to remove plastic waste and raise awareness about its dangers.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Excellence Akeredolu, Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology and Director-at-Large for the Society for Ecological Restoration, called attention to the widespread environmental harm caused by plastics.
“Today, we will be collecting plastic litter to make our environment cleaner and safer. Your participation is crucial, and together, we can create a meaningful impact in our community,” Dr. Akeredolu told the crowd.
He outlined several key dangers associated with plastic waste, including its harmful effects on wildlife, its role in disrupting ecosystems, the rise of microplastics in food chains, its contribution to climate change, and its damage to tourism through visual pollution.
Following the opening remarks, participants were grouped into teams and given the task of collecting as much plastic waste as possible across the campus. What began as a friendly competition soon turned into a powerful display of collective action, with a total of 102 kilograms of plastic waste gathered by the end of the event.
Organizers noted that the effort not only improved the appearance of the university environment but also helped reduce the risk of local waterway contamination.
All volunteers were provided with protective gloves and were briefed on safety protocols.
Dr. Akeredolu emphasized the importance of safety and environmental responsibility, ensuring that the clean-up was conducted smoothly and without incident.
He noted that as the world continues to grapple with plastic pollution, the success of the UNILAG initiative serves as a beacon of hope and a model for community-driven environmental stewardship.
Stakeholders at the event called on local, state, and federal authorities to step up enforcement of anti-littering laws, support recycling programs, and promote environmental education nationwide.
They agreed that with a strong turnout and tangible results, the World Environment Day activity at UNILAG underscores the growing public awareness of sustainability issues and highlights the role academic institutions can play in leading environmental transformation.