By: Tijani Salako.
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has showcased the creativity, knowledge and practical waste management skills acquired by participants in its 2026 Summer School programme during the grand finale held at its headquarters in Ijora-Olopa, Lagos.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Mukaila Sanusi, LAWMA noted that the programme is a significant investment in raising environmental consciousness among young people by equipping them with practical knowledge of sustainable waste management and the circular economy.
Speaking at the event on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on the Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, described the initiative as a laudable effort by LAWMA to nurture a new generation of environmentally responsible citizens.
He urged the pupils to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the programme to improve their lives and contribute meaningfully to protecting the environment, stressing that everyone has a role to play in keeping Lagos clean and sustainable.
Rotimi-Akodu also encouraged the participants to become environmental ambassadors in their homes, schools and communities, using what they learnt about recycling, waste sorting and responsible waste disposal to inspire positive behavioural change among their peers.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the LAWMA Academy was established to educate and empower young people to become responsible environmental stewards.
According to him, the initiative is designed not only to promote environmental cleanliness but also to expose children to the economic opportunities available in the waste management and recycling sector.
Gbadegesin said properly managed waste could become a valuable resource capable of creating jobs, supporting livelihoods and contributing to economic development, adding that waste management is both an environmental responsibility and an economic opportunity.
The Head of the LAWMA Academy, Mrs. Hauwa Momoh-Ajibola, said the four-week summer school combined theoretical and practical sessions, exposing participants to waste sorting, recycling, reuse, environmental sanitation and responsible waste disposal practices.
She added that the hands-on activities helped the pupils appreciate the value of materials often regarded as waste while instilling environmental values that extend beyond the classroom.
A total of 80 students aged between seven and 15 participated in the 2026 LAWMA Academy Summer School and displayed innovative projects reflecting their understanding of waste management.
Adekola Khadijah emerged as the Most Outstanding Student after her project, which transformed discarded carton paper into a signboard bearing the inscription “LAWMA Academy” and the Authority’s logo, was adjudged the best for its creativity and demonstration of recycling and resource recovery principles.
