Lagos trains children to be eco-heroes in waste management summer school

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has initiated its 2026 Summer School program, aiming to cultivate a new generation of environmentally conscious children. The four-week initiative, themed 'Young Eco-Heroes: Protecting Our Environment,' commenced at the LAWMA headquarters in Ijora.

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LAWMA Academy has become the authority’s institutional platform for environmental education and advocacy, driving initiatives that equip residents, schools, markets, estates and community groups with the knowledge and skills required to embrace responsible waste management practices.

LAWMA Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, highlighted the critical role of children and young people in achieving a cleaner, more sustainable Lagos. He stressed that enduring environmental change hinges on continuous education and positive behavioral shifts. Gbadegesin described the LAWMA Academy as the agency's primary platform for environmental education and advocacy, driving efforts to impart knowledge and skills for responsible waste management.

The summer school is designed for children aged seven to fifteen, offering practical lessons in waste segregation, recycling, environmental sanitation, climate change, resource conservation, leadership, and sustainable living. The program combines classroom learning with hands-on activities, including creative recycling sessions, educational excursions, and practical projects focused on the circular economy. Participants will gain practical knowledge and skills to act as environmental ambassadors in their homes, schools, and communities.

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The programme combined classroom learning with practical demonstrations, creative recycling sessions, educational excursions and hands-on projects aimed at deepening participants’ understanding of responsible waste management and the principles of the circular economy.

Gbadegesin stated that the program aims to inspire young eco-heroes who will not only practice responsible waste management but also encourage others to protect the environment. The initiative is designed to nurture children capable of influencing positive behavioral change by promoting waste reduction, segregation at source, recycling, material reuse, and responsible consumption in their daily lives. The program will conclude on August 26, 2026, with an assessment of participants' understanding, and outstanding students will be recognized.

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The future of our environment depends on the choices we make today. Through this programme, we are inspiring young eco-heroes who will not only practise responsible waste management but also encourage others to protect