IBWU Foundation (It Begins With U), a Canada-based Charity and Not for Profit also operating as a Nigeria-based non-governmental organisation, has partnered Kemi Irinoye Foundation (KIF) to launch the “Cleanest School in Ibadan Programme 2026”, a transformative initiative aimed at promoting hygiene, sanitation, innovation, and civic responsibility in secondary school pupils in Ibadan.

IBWU Foundation, known for executing similar impactful projects in Nigeria, continues to expand with plans to reach even more states. In selecting Ibadan for this phase, the organisation chose to partner KIF in designing and implementing high-impact programmes that drive meaningful change.

The programme, formalised through a signed Memorandum of Understanding in March, will engage schools in a structured competition to encourage clean, sustainable, and innovative learning environments. Participating schools will be evaluated on cleanliness, creativity, teamwork, sustainability, and effective use of resources.

To incentivise excellence and participation, IBWU Foundation is offering a grand prize of N1,000,000 to the cleanest school, with cash rewards for schools placing second, third, and fourth, as well as scholarships and other awards.

These prizes are intended not only as recognition but also as support for continued improvements in school environments.

Implemented in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Education and supported by relevant government agencies, the initiative will span multiple phases, from stakeholder engagement and school registration to inspections, media engagement, and a grand award ceremony recognizing top-performing schools.

“We are deeply grateful to IBWU Foundation for their willingness to work with us on this impactful project. This initiative goes beyond cleanliness, it is about shaping a generation of responsible, innovative young people who understand the value of their environment and their role in sustaining it.”

The program will culminate in a high-profile awards event featuring government representatives, educators, students, and corporate stakeholders, where outstanding schools will be recognized and rewarded. Beyond the competition, the initiative aims to establish long-term behavioral change and position participating schools as champions of hygiene and environmental responsibility, a record that IBWU has displayed in other states across the country.

Both organizations share a long-term vision to make environmental impact in across Oyo State and beyond. (The Nation)