Oke-Ira Senior Grammar School, representing Education District VI, has emerged overall winner of the 2025 Inter-Secondary School Environmental Competition organised by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in partnership with Earthplus Environmental Sustainability Network.
The grand finale, themed “Solutions for a Viable Environment: Towards a Future with Zero Plastic Pollution,” was held at the LASEPA Headquarters, Alausa, Ikeja, over the weekend.
Ten public and private schools made it to the final round of the keenly contested competition. They include Ojodu Junior School (Success Team), Grandmate School (The Collectables), Keke Senior High School (Trash to Treasure), Bolade Senior Grammar School (Transparent Land), Army Cantonment Junior High School (Green Minds), Birch Freeman Senior High School (Ecovators), Ikeja Senior Grammar School (Eco Cycle), Oke-Ira Senior Grammar School (Young Environmentalists), and Oshodi Comprehensive Junior High School (Nature Lovers).
Oke-Ira Senior Grammar School, represented by The Young Environmentalists, clinched the top position and received a ₦500,000 cash prize. Grandmates School (The Collectables) and Oshodi Comprehensive Junior High School (Nature Lovers) emerged second and third, respectively, going home with valuable prizes in recognition of their exceptional projects and presentations.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Omobolaji Tajudeen-Gaji, highlighted the crucial role of young people in advancing environmental sustainability. Represented by Dr. Sojunu Olasunkanmi, a senior director in the ministry, Dr. Gaji said the competition’s theme aligns with the state government’s mission of creating a flood-free, hygienic, and aesthetically pleasing Lagos through efficient waste management and responsible consumption.
He described plastic pollution as a major global threat, noting its role in flooding, marine ecosystem degradation, and waterway contamination. He commended LASEPA and Earthplus for championing youth-led initiatives aimed at environmental protection, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to policies such as the ban on Styrofoam and single-use plastics.
In his welcome address, the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, said Project SOLVE 2.0 was designed to harness the creativity of young Nigerians in tackling plastic waste and promoting environmental innovation. He expressed delight at the creativity and enthusiasm displayed by the participants, describing them as the “next generation of environmental stewards.”
Also speaking, the Director of Partnership, Grant Management and Innovation, Mrs. Olabisi Shonibare, emphasised the importance of partnerships in achieving environmental sustainability, citing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17 as a guiding principle. She stressed the need for collaborative action between government, private sector, and citizens to drive sustainable solutions.
Representing Earthplus, the Deputy Team Lead, Mrs. Mosadoluwa Otenaike, explained that Project SOLVE was conceptualised to inspire students to design scalable and impactful solutions to real-world environmental challenges. She noted that the 2.0 edition focused on plastic pollution in alignment with the 2025 World Environment Day theme.
According to her, the initiative attracted numerous entries from secondary schools across Lagos, especially from areas affected by pollution. Ten outstanding teams made it to the finals, presenting creative, low-cost, and scalable projects aimed at achieving a cleaner, plastic-free Lagos.
