Nestlé Nigeria, Partners Mobilise 424 Volunteers for Nationwide Environmental Action Across 12 Cities

Nestlé Nigeria, Partners Mobilise 424 Volunteers for Nationwide Environmental Action Across 12 Cities

Nestlé Nigeria, in collaboration with coalition partners, has successfully concluded its 2026 World Environment Day community sensitization and clean-up campaign across 12 locations nationwide, reinforcing collective action toward environmental sustainability and responsible waste management.

The large-scale initiative brought together volunteers, communities, government institutions, recyclers, development partners, and industry stakeholders in a coordinated effort aimed at promoting cleaner environments and strengthening environmental awareness across Nigeria.

Speaking on the impact of the initiative, Victoria Uwadoka, Lead Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria, emphasized the importance of community participation in achieving lasting environmental progress.

“Environmental progress is most sustainable when communities see themselves as active participants rather than observers. What encouraged us most this year was not only the volume of waste recovered, but the willingness of volunteers, partners and community members to work together towards a shared goal. Lasting environmental progress depends on that sense of collective ownership, and it is often through small actions taken together that meaningful change begins,” she said.

According to reports from the African Clean-Up Initiative (ACI) and the Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN), the campaign recorded the recovery of 4,507.8 kilograms of solid waste and 48.2 kilograms of recyclable waste through the collective efforts of 424 volunteers deployed across the 12 locations.

Recovered waste materials were properly channelled into recycling and approved disposal systems, contributing to cleaner public spaces and supporting wider efforts to reduce environmental pollution and waste leakage.

The nationwide activation was driven by Nestlé Cares volunteers, the company’s employee volunteering programme, alongside volunteers from the 15 organisations that form the environmental coalition unveiled ahead of World Environment Day 2026.

The campaign was simultaneously carried out across Lagos, Abuja, Agbara, Jos, Kano, Enugu, Awka, Ota, Abaji, Sagamu, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan, where volunteers engaged residents through structured clean-up exercises and environmental sensitization activities designed to encourage responsible waste management practices.

The initiative was implemented through a coordinated multi-stakeholder framework involving government agencies, regulators, recyclers, development organisations, and industry platforms to ensure alignment with Nigeria’s environmental sustainability goals.

At the Abuja activation, the Honourable Minister of Environment was represented by Mrs. Adeola Omotunde, Director of the Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department at the Federal Ministry of Environment. She noted that sustainable environmental progress requires continuous collaboration across all sectors.

“Addressing environmental challenges requires consistent action at all levels. Initiatives such as this demonstrate how government, private sector and communities can work together to drive responsible environmental practices and deliver real impact,” she stated.

Also speaking, Mrs. Esther Chibueyin Fagbo, representing the Country Manager of the National Plastics Action Partnership (NPAP), highlighted the importance of partnerships in tackling Nigeria’s plastic pollution challenge.

“Nigeria’s plastic pollution challenge requires bold, collaborative action, and this initiative demonstrates the value of bringing together communities, partners and the private sector around a shared goal. We are proud to have supported this effort and look forward to continuing our collaboration to advance circular economy solutions that create environmental and economic value,” she said.

Nestlé Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to working with partners, communities, and stakeholders to promote cleaner environments, strengthen waste recovery systems, and support sustainable circular economy initiatives across the country.