IBADAN, Nigeria — The Oyo State Government has encouraged secondary school students to embrace innovation in waste management, urging them to view environmental challenges as opportunities for entrepreneurship, wealth creation and sustainable economic development.
The call was made during a Waste to Wealth Workshop held in Ibadan under the theme, “From Trash to Trade: Building Export-Ready Products from Recycled Materials,” where students were encouraged to develop practical solutions to environmental problems through recycling and resource recovery.
Speaking at the event, the Oyo State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola Aderinto, said the younger generation would play a critical role in shaping the future of environmental sustainability and national development.
He urged the students to begin preparing themselves for leadership positions, noting that within the next three decades many of them would occupy strategic roles where they would influence policies and drive societal transformation.
The commissioner described poor waste management as a global challenge that requires innovative thinking and creative solutions rather than traditional disposal methods.
He encouraged participants to see waste as a valuable resource capable of generating employment, creating wealth and producing export-ready products when properly processed and managed.
According to him, sustainable waste management should be guided by the principles of reducing unnecessary consumption, reusing available materials and refusing items that are not needed before considering recycling.
He explained that recycling remains an important component of environmental protection but should be regarded as the final stage after efforts have been made to reduce waste generation and maximise the reuse of existing materials.
The commissioner said adopting these practices would not only protect the environment but also contribute to economic growth by creating new business opportunities within the recycling and circular economy sectors.
He commended the founder of the Waste Museum Ibadan, Mrs. Jumoke Olowowaste, for organising the workshop and exposing students to practical knowledge on converting waste materials into commercially valuable products.
According to him, initiatives that equip young people with environmental and entrepreneurial skills are essential for building a more sustainable future and encouraging innovation among the next generation.
He further urged the students to become problem-solvers within their schools and communities by identifying practical ways to address environmental challenges through creativity and enterprise.
The commissioner reminded participants that individuals who develop effective solutions to societal challenges often become leaders in their respective fields, encouraging them to embrace innovation as a pathway to personal and national development.
The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts to promote environmental awareness among young people while encouraging the adoption of sustainable waste management practices that support economic growth, environmental protection and the development of a circular economy in Oyo State.
