Nestlé Nigeria, in collaboration with a coalition of environmental partners, has successfully concluded its 2026 World Environment Day community sensitization and clean-up campaign across 12 locations nationwide, mobilizing hundreds of volunteers and stakeholders in a coordinated effort to promote environmental sustainability and responsible waste management.
The nationwide initiative brought together 424 volunteers who recovered a total of 4,507.8 kilograms of solid waste and 48.2 kilograms of recyclable materials, according to reports from the African Clean-Up Initiative (ACI) and the Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN). The recovered waste was subsequently processed through appropriate recycling and disposal channels, contributing to cleaner communities and supporting efforts to reduce environmental pollution.
Speaking on the impact of the campaign, Victoria Uwadoka, Lead Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria, emphasized the importance of community participation in driving lasting environmental change.
“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.
The exercise was driven by Nestlé Cares volunteers, the company’s employee volunteering programme, alongside representatives from 15 organizations that form part of the coalition launched ahead of World Environment Day. Activities were simultaneously carried out in Lagos, Abuja, Agbara, Jos, Kano, Enugu, Awka, Ota, Abaji, Sagamu, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan, where volunteers engaged residents through structured clean-up and environmental awareness campaigns.
The initiative adopted a multi-stakeholder approach, bringing together government agencies, regulators, development partners, industry groups, and recycling organizations to ensure effective implementation and alignment with national environmental objectives.
At the Abuja activation, the Honourable Minister of Environment was represented by Mrs. Adeola Omotunde, Director of the Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department of the Federal Ministry of Environment. She highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.
“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), described the initiative as a model for collective action against plastic pollution.
“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.
The campaign underscores Nestlé Nigeria’s commitment to fostering cleaner environments and advancing circular economy practices through partnerships, community engagement, and sustainable waste recovery initiatives. The company reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders across the country to create shared value and promote environmental sustainability for future generations.