On World Cleanup Day 2026, students from various tertiary institutions in Ekiti State, Nigeria, embarked on an environmental sanitation campaign in markets and streets in Ado Ekiti. The campaign, tagged 'Keep Ekiti Clean, Keep Ekiti Green,' aimed to promote cleaner communities and environmental responsibility. The students engaged market women, commercial motorcycle operators, community leaders, and other residents to encourage them to stop indiscriminate waste disposal and embrace tree planting.
The campaign was organized under the Ekiti Students Skill Up with YOMA Initiative, with support from UNICEF through a partnership involving the Ekiti State Government and Generation Unlimited 9ja. Participating students were drawn from Ekiti State University, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, Federal College of Education, Iyin-Ekiti, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, and Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan-Ekiti.
Modupe Adetiba, Project Lead, stated that the campaign was designed to demonstrate that protecting the environment requires active participation from residents and communities, not just the government. She emphasized that the involvement of students showed that young people could identify social problems and contribute to finding solutions within their communities. Adetiba called for stronger cooperation between government and community stakeholders to ensure environmental initiatives have a greater impact.
Adetiba urged residents to dispose of waste responsibly and increase tree planting across communities. She encouraged residents to plant trees and dispose of refuse responsibly, emphasizing that climate action and environmental protection are collective efforts. The campaign aimed to raise awareness among residents, including market women, Okada riders, community leaders, and stakeholders, about the importance of keeping their environment clean.
Olasehinde Oloniyo, a representative of the Ekiti State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, noted that the environmental component of the programme is crucial because the wellbeing of communities is closely linked to the condition of their surroundings. He urged residents to complement government efforts by adopting responsible environmental practices, including proper waste disposal, tree planting, and protection of vegetation.
Participants, including Favour Anjorin and Joel Oluwadunsin, stated that the exercise helped raise awareness about environmental sanitation and encouraged residents to adopt practices that could reduce problems such as erosion and flooding. The campaign educated residents on pollution, tree planting, and the importance of maintaining clean surroundings for healthy living.
The 'Keep Ekiti Clean' drive is part of a broader effort to promote environmental responsibility and community development in Ekiti State. The Ekiti Students Skill Up initiative focuses on youth development, leadership, and capacity building, equipping young people with relevant skills and opportunities to improve their employability and participation in community development.
Key points
- Students in Ekiti State launched a campaign to promote environmental sanitation and responsibility on World Cleanup Day 2026.
- The campaign, 'Keep Ekiti Clean, Keep Ekiti Green,' aims to encourage residents to adopt responsible environmental practices.
- The initiative is part of the Ekiti Students Skill Up with YOMA Initiative, supported by UNICEF and the Ekiti State Government.
