Abuja: The Federal Government, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Digital Peers International (DPI) have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting youth-led innovation, digital technology, and partnerships to combat plastic pollution and promote Nigeria’s circular economy.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the commitment was reiterated on Monday in Abuja at the conclusion of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme-supported Plastic Waste Solutions 2.0 Project implemented by DPI with support from UNDP. Speaking virtually, Dr. Ibironke Olubamise, National Coordinator of the UNDP GEF-SGP, stated that the project empowered hundreds of young Nigerians with practical knowledge and digital skills to tackle plastic waste.
Olubamise highlighted that the initiative reflected UNDP’s belief in sustainable environmental solutions that are community-driven, locally owned, and strengthened through strategic partnerships among key development stakeholders nationwide. She emphasized the need for sustained investment, mentorship, and enterprise development to facilitate the evolution of innovations from prototypes into scalable businesses capable of creating jobs and delivering environmental benefits.
Dr. Ibukun Odusote, Chief Executive Officer of DPI, described the project’s completion as the beginning of a broader effort to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem. She stressed that the true measure of success would be the ability of innovations developed by participants to grow into sustainable enterprises creating jobs and solving environmental challenges. The project attracted 46 concepts from young Nigerians, with the best ideas emerging after rigorous technical evaluation by experts from various sectors.
Odusote revealed that DPI would establish a structured innovation support programme providing mentorship, business development services, prototype refinement, and investment-readiness coaching for participating young innovators nationwide. The programme is also set to offer enterprise registration support, product testing, market access opportunities, and strategic partnerships to help participants commercialize their innovations.
Mr. Umaru Murtala, Senior Scientific Officer, Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Federal Ministry of Environment, stated that the ministry provided technical guidance and policy support throughout the implementation. Murtala described the initiative as one of the most impactful youth-focused environmental programmes supported by the ministry, with participants developing technology-based solutions despite initially lacking digital skills.