In a bid to mark World Cleanup Day, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Lagos State Chapter, on Saturday, mobilized students to lead what it described as the “largest environmental cleanup in Lagos State.”

The event took place at Iyana-Iba Market, in Ojo Local Government Area, with hundreds of student volunteers, community members, and partner organizations removing solid waste, promoting recycling, and educating traders and residents on sustainable environmental practices.

According to a statement on Saturday by the PRO of NANS Lagos, Ridwan Ajayi, the exercise featured collaboration between development partners, student bodies, and local NGOs.

He said, “The large-scale activation, hosted at Iyana-Iba Market, Ojo Local Government Area, brought together hundreds of student volunteers, student leaders, community members, and partner organisations, including GenImpact Africa, Lima Adejoke Foundation, and the Rotaract Club of Lagos State University (LASU). Participants worked collectively to remove solid waste, promote proper recycling practices, and sensitize traders and residents on sustainable environmental management.”

Ajayi also stated that the Lagos Waste Management Authority helped to evacuate the collected waste. According to him, by the end, large amounts of plastics, cans, and other refuse had been cleared.

The organisers said, “The initiative formed part of an ongoing collaboration between UNICEF and NANS Lagos aimed at advancing youth engagement on climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals.”

They also expressed appreciation to all parties involved in the activity.

“The organizers expressed profound appreciation to all volunteers, market stakeholders, and partner agencies whose contributions made the World Cleanup Day event a benchmark for coordinated environmental action in Lagos,” NANS said.

World Cleanup Day is a global social action initiative aimed at tackling the world’s mounting waste problem. Every year, millions of volunteers across more than 190 countries come together to clean streets, rivers, forests, and public spaces.

The movement seeks to raise awareness about proper waste management, promote recycling, and inspire communities to take responsibility for a cleaner, sustainable environment.

NANS has a history of organizing youth-led initiatives across Lagos State. In February 2025, the NANS Joint Campus Council Lagos collaborated with the Lagos State Waterways Authority to raise awareness about water transportation and safety. (The PUNCH)