How Lagos Is Raising a New Generation of ‘Eco Heroes’

How Lagos Is Raising a New Generation of ‘Eco Heroes’
Trains Children on Climate Action, Recycling
Children Learn Tree Planting, Waste Recovery

The Lagos State Government has introduced children to practical ways of protecting the environment, recycling waste and combating climate change through the 2026 Eco Explorers Bootcamp.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the programme, organised by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in collaboration with the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency and other partners, was held on Saturday at Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Alausa, Ikeja.

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The initiative, implemented through the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, focused on helping children understand environmental sustainability beyond the classroom through practical activities.

The participants took part in gardening, upcycling and simple science experiments designed to make environmental concepts easier to understand.

During the gardening session, the children learnt to identify plants such as spider lily, aglaonema, also known as Chinese evergreen, and hibiscus. They were also taught how to plant and care for them using compost manure, planting materials and watering cans.

The children identified several benefits of trees and gardens, including beautification, carbon absorption, sustainability and reduction of noise pollution.

A facilitator explained that tree planting and proper maintenance of gardens could contribute to environmental sustainability while encouraging children to take responsibility for their surroundings.

The participants also learnt how waste materials could be transformed into useful resources during an upcycling session.

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Speaking on the initiative, the Director of Circular Economy at the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Bola Adewunmi, said the agency participated through the LAWMA Academy and its Circular Economy Department.

Adewunmi said the programme was designed to teach children from an early age that waste could be recovered and converted into useful resources.

She said LAWMA’s approach was based on the principle that “waste is wealth,” adding that the children were exposed to the concept through both theoretical lessons and practical activities.

The science session featured simple experiments, including a demonstration using food colouring, baking soda and bleach to show how chemical reactions could produce visible changes.

Mr Elijah Adegoke of Kids Literary Circle, KLC, said the organisation participated in the programme to make learning enjoyable and practical for children.

He said the participants were also taught about the impact of human activities on the environment, including the relationship between greenhouse gases, global warming and climate change.

Also speaking, Mr Ojo Oluwaseyi of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency said the agency’s involvement was aimed at promoting eco-friendly practices such as tree planting and gardening.

Oluwaseyi described tree planting as one of the ways of mitigating the effects of climate change and encouraged the children to establish small gardens and share what they had learnt with others.

Parents also participated in games and recreational activities while the children engaged in the various practical sessions.

The facilitators urged the participants to see themselves as “eco heroes” and take responsibility for decisions that could contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment.

The bootcamp ultimately combined environmental education with practical learning, giving the children an opportunity to understand sustainability through gardening, waste recovery, recycling and science.