From the Lagos Lagoon to classrooms and neighbourhoods, 28 young Nigerians are emerging as new voices in the fight against pollution and environmental degradation after completing the 2026 Young Leaders for Sustainable Environment Programme (YLSEP).
The graduates are now expected to turn lessons on ocean protection, plastic pollution, recycling and environmental communication into practical action across their communities.
Eko EnviroTalk graduated the second cohort of its YLSEP at a closing ceremony in Lagos, urging participants to apply the knowledge and practical skills acquired during the six-day programme to address environmental challenges.
The 2026 cohort, which ran from August 17 to 22, comprised participants aged between 13 and 28 and was held under the theme, “Ocean Heroes, Guardians of the Blue.”
The programme was designed to equip young people with knowledge, leadership skills and practical tools to promote environmental sustainability and develop solutions to challenges affecting the ocean and wider environment.
Speaking at the ceremony, Wande Seriki, programme manager, Eko EnviroTalk, said the initiative was designed to move participants beyond theoretical learning and encourage them to become active environmental advocates.
Seriki said knowledge was critical to changing attitudes towards environmental protection, particularly ocean pollution.
“The more they know, the better informed they will be to make better decisions about the ocean,” she said.
She said participants were exposed to the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems, pollution and possible solutions, while environmental communication training equipped them to use social media and other platforms to advocate for environmental sustainability.
The programme combined virtual learning with practical activities, including a boat tour of the Lagos Lagoon and a visit to the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, where participants interacted with marine science experts.
The cohort also visited Gracefield Island for a sustainability tour and tree-planting exercise.
The Director, International Ocean Institute (IOI) Nigeria Centre, Williams Akanbi, urged the participants to become advocates for ocean protection, saying improved public knowledge was essential to safeguarding marine ecosystems.
“Look into the ocean and see what you can do to protect the water, animals and anything going into the ocean,” Akanbi said.
He said the institute’s participation reflected its commitment to ocean literacy and youth engagement, noting that young people would play a major role in protecting marine resources for future generations.
Participants also presented project ideas addressing plastic waste management, recycling and proper waste disposal, with discussions focused on practical actions they could take in their communities.
Akanbi said the institute’s focus on youth engagement was driven by the need to build ocean literacy among younger generations who would eventually take responsibility for the environment.
At Gracefield Island, Idowu Aderinto of the development team said the project had incorporated several environmental measures, including tree planting, pedestrian walkways, cycling lanes, drainage systems, shoreline protection and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
He said more than 7,000 trees had been planted, while waste separation and recycling at source were incorporated into the development’s environmental management plans.
Oreoluwa Babajide, assistant manager, Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability, Gracefield Island, said environmental responsibility must begin with individuals.
She urged the participants to take the lessons from the programme into their homes, schools and communities.
Seriki said the programme’s success would ultimately depend on the actions participants take after graduation.
She urged them to leverage the networks created during the programme to develop and sustain environmental initiatives.
She added that the Lagos State Ministry of Environment served as an institutional partner, helping to reinforce the message of building a greener and cleaner Lagos through youth engagement.
