Abuja: The C-Circle Foundation for Sustainable Health and Environment (C-Circle Foundation) has launched the 2025 edition of its National Schools Debate Project, aiming to raise youth awareness and action against plastic pollution in Nigeria. The debate, themed ‘Ending Plastic Pollution,’ was held to commemorate World Environment Day and included participation from students across Abuja, Imo, and Enugu states.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Chimere-May Ohajinwa, the Team Lead of the Foundation, stated that the project is designed to harness youth potential through education, dialogue, and leadership to address Nigeria’s environmental challenges. This debate project, which has been running annually for five years, reached over 500 students this year and is building momentum as a national movement for climate and public health action. Dr. Ohajinwa highlighted that Nigeria produces more than 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with less than 30 percent being recycled, contributing to pollution and climate change. Grassroots education and civic engagement are deemed critical to reversing this trend.
The 2025 edition featured thought-provoking topics, including ‘Recycling single-use plastics is better than banning them’ and ‘Is waste management the responsibility of the government or the citizen?’ In Abuja, the debate on June 4 was supported by the Rotary Club of Abuja and others. Sixteen secondary schools participated, with His Excellency International School, Bwari, emerging as the winner. School for the Gifted, Gwagwalada came second, followed by Funtaj International School and Government Secondary School, Kubwa in third and fourth place, respectively.
In Imo, the debate took place on June 26 with support from various Rotary Clubs, where Great Insights High School, Owerri emerged as the winner. Other participants included Owerri Girls Secondary School, Urban Development Secondary School, and Imo Girls Secondary School. In Enugu, on June 27, Trans-Ekulu Girls Secondary School won the competition, supported by the Rotary Club of Trans-Ekulu and others, with Solid Base Private School placing second.
Dr. Ohajinwa emphasized that the debate is not just about public speaking but also about developing critical thinking, leadership, and environmental consciousness. Over 34 schools have been engaged so far, with plans underway to scale up the initiative to reach 10,000 students across 15 states by 2026. The National Schools Debate Project presents a unique platform at the intersection of education, public health, and environmental change, and she called for investment and collaboration to support the youth and the existing structure.