Oando Foundation Deepens Environment Education With Phase V of Clean Our World, Expands Reach To 50 New Schools

Oando Foundation, an independent charity established to support the Nigerian government in achieving its Universal Basic Education goal has launched Phase V of its Clean Our World (COW) project.

In line with its ongoing commitment to environmental education and promoting recyclable waste management practices in targeted schools and host communities, this new phase will scale the initiative to 50 additional schools, with expansion into two new states — FCT Abuja and Delta — while strengthening implementation in legacy states Lagos and Plateau to deepen impact and drive long-term sustainability.

According to a recent report by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), an estimated 2.5 million tons of plastic waste is generated annually in Nigeria, with only 12% of that being recycled.

This underscores the urgent call for environmental education and action, especially amongst children and young people who are critical to shaping future sustainability practices.

Recognizing the pressing need for systemic environmental literacy at the grassroots level, Phase V of the Clean Our World (COW) project focuses on standardized lesson delivery through wide-scale capacity building for teachers, deployment of the climate action superheroes (CASH) syllabus, and various in-school climate action activities, laying the foundation for a cleaner, greener future.

With active government participation, this phase of the project ensures uniform, consistent, and high-quality delivery of environmental education in schools across Lagos, Plateau, Delta States and the FCT.

Commenting on the launch of Phase V of the Clean Our World (COW) project, Tonia Uduimoh, Head of Oando Foundation said: “Implementation of the fifth phase of the COW initiative, in collaboration with our co-sponsor Sumitomo Chemical, and government partners marks a significant milestone in our journey towards embedding sustainability in education. By expanding into two new states, we are not only broadening our geographical reach but also deepening our impact in legacy states like Lagos and Plateau. Our goal is to instill a culture of sustainability from an early age, fostering responsible behaviors that extend beyond the classroom into the wider community. Through strategic partnerships and active government involvement, we aim to create a scalable model that can be replicated across the nation. This initiative is more than just an educational program; it’s a movement towards a sustainable future. We believe that by equipping the younger generation with the necessary knowledge and skills, we are laying the groundwork for a cleaner, greener Nigeria”

Also commenting on the initiative, Samuel Mariere, the executive chairman Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), commended Oando Foundation’s efforts, noting: “Oando Foundation’s COW V is a commendable programme that is broadening the knowledge and changing the attitudes of pupils, teachers, and stakeholders in our state towards understanding environmental education for a better healthier living.

To date, the Clean Our World (COW) project has impacted over 95,500 beneficiaries, encouraging the adoption of eco-conscious lifestyles.

The Oando Foundation has also trained 939 education stakeholders — including teachers, Local Government Education Authority staff, and SUBEB officials — to ensure the effective delivery and utilization of environmental education tools and practices.

This initiative also builds on Oando Foundation’s current LEARNOVATE strategy, particularly its PLANET component, which promotes environmental education, green skills development, and waste management at the basic education level.

By fostering sustainability within the educational system, LEARNOVATE ensures that young learners are empowered to contribute to educational advancement, aligning the strategy with global goals like SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).