JOS In a bold move toward environmental responsibility, the University of Jos (UNIJOS) has launched a campus-wide “Plastic-Free” campaign aimed at eliminating single-use plastics and transforming student attitudes toward waste management.
At the official flag-off event held at the university’s main auditorium, Vice-Chancellor Professor Tanko Ishaya urged students and staff to embrace sustainable practices, describing the initiative as part of UNIJOS’s commitment to becoming a leading green campus in Nigeria.
“Our environment is under siege from plastic pollution,” Prof. Ishaya stated. “We are not only banning single-use plastics on our campus we are also equipping our students with the knowledge and tools to turn waste into wealth.
The campaign, spearheaded by the university’s Centre for Environmental Sustainability, includes awareness workshops, recycling competitions, and innovation hubs where students can pitch eco-friendly business ideas. Special collection bins have already been installed across key locations on campus to encourage waste segregation and recycling.
Environmental science student Grace Odion, who participated in the event, called the campaign “a wake-up call” for young Nigerians. “It’s not just about banning plastic. It’s about changing how we see waste as something with potential value, not just something to throw away,” she said.
In partnership with local recycling firms and NGOs, UNIJOS plans to convert collected plastic waste into reusable materials such as paving tiles and eco-bricks. The school is also working to phase out plastic bottles and packaging from its cafeterias and shops.
The initiative reflects a growing trend among Nigerian universities to tackle environmental issues through education and community engagement. With Nigeria ranked among the top contributors to plastic pollution in Africa, campaigns like UNIJOS’s are seen as critical in shifting public behavior.
“Universities must lead by example,” Prof. Ishaya emphasized. “We are raising a generation that sees sustainability not as a slogan, but as a way of life.”
source: newsontheplateu.com
