The Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has concluded the 2025 edition of its annual Summer School Programme under the LAWMA Academy.
The three-week programme held at LAWMA’s headquarters Ijora-Olopa, brought together pupils from schools across Lagos to learn, innovate, and engage in sustainability-focused activities.
This year’s programme, themed ‘Saving the planet one step at a time’, featured a blend of classroom lessons, practical demonstrations and field trips, aimed at deepening participants’ understanding of waste management and environmental sustainability.
Pupils took part in recycling and upcycling workshops, creating centre tables and frames from tyres, plant vases from PET bottle covers, and ottomans from PET bottles and foam.
They also visited Mouka Limited, a foam and mattress company to learn how waste is managed in the company. They were also lectured on marine life anchored by the Lekan Bakare Foundation, which enlightened the pupils on the dangers of ocean littering and its harmful effects on marine ecosystems.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, commended the participants describing them as the future of the environment.
“Our children are the future custodians of the environment. By equipping them with the right knowledge and mindset, we are investing in a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos” he said .
He encouraged them to continue to be the best in what they do and prayed for their success.
One of the highlights of the event was the actualization of the Managing Director’s pledge during the opening ceremony, to give the best-performing student an opportunity to serve as “One Day MD.”
Ayedun Emmanuel Ire emerged as the outstanding student and was officially announced as the winner of the role.
Other highlights include, the ‘Cooking without Waste’ session, where overripe bananas were used to make banana pancakes, and stale bread was transformed into sweet butter bread.
“We supported the summer school to help build a society where children take responsibility for their environment and manage waste properly. To achieve this, we must catch them young, and with what LAWMA Academy is doing, they have our support, in building these young minds,” said Olajumoke Agbetanmije, a Sustainability Analyst at 7up Bottling Company said,
Similarly, the Head of LAWMA Academy, Bola Adewumi, encouraged the pupils to spread the knowledge they gained, acting as ambassadors of responsible waste management in their schools and communities.
Some pupils received awards for outstanding performances in the course of the programme.
The 2025 Summer School Programme, the fifth in the series, was designed to equip young people with the tools to drive positive change in their communities, on issues bordering on the environment.
Also present at the ceremony was the Executive Director, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi and other management staff.
