Editor
By Fatima Saka
In addressing the pressing issues of plastic debris, the French Government has allocated €250,000, equivalent to over 500 million naira, to five tertiary institutions in Nigeria to aid in the combat against plastic pollution.
Known as the French Embassy Fund (FEF), this initiative is part of the French Government’s global campaign to promote effective plastic waste management and to encourage young Nigerian researchers to innovate for a cleaner environment.
During the official launch of the FEF Waste Management in Nigerian Campuses Project in Abuja, Thierry Valentin, the Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy, highlighted the significance of the project.
He emphasized that the aim of showcasing successful solutions with minimal resources to address the pressing issue of plastic pollution in Nigeria.
Mr. Valentin commended the selected institutions for their excellence in proposing impactful and scientifically sound projects.
He described the project as groundbreaking, stating that its benefits would extend beyond the university campuses to the surrounding areas where the initiatives are implemented.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), Mr. Chris Maiyaki, celebrated the achievement as a significant milestone for Nigerian universities.
He emphasized the importance of supporting research efforts, particularly in the critical area of plastic waste disposal.
Among the recipient universities, the University of Delta, Agbor, expressed its commitment to promptly execute its plastic waste management project.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Stella Chiemeke, highlighted the project’s importance in addressing the environmental challenges faced by the institution and the local community.
The universities benefiting from this initiative include Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Alex Ekwueme Funai University in Ebonyi, Delta State University in Agbor, University of Calabar, and Yaba College of Technology in Akoka, Lagos.
In June 2024, the embassy launched a €753,000 plastic waste management project to support Nigerian universities in developing innovative, adaptive, and sustainable solutions to combat plastic pollution.
