Ekiti students take environmental campaign to Ado Ekiti markets and streets

Students from tertiary institutions across Ekiti State have taken an environmental sanitation campaign to markets and streets in Ado Ekiti, urging residents to stop indiscriminate waste disposal and plant more trees. The campaign, tagged “Keep Ekiti Clean, Keep Ekiti Green”, was held on Wednesday to mark World Cleanup Day 2026. It was organised under the Ekiti Students Skill Up with YOMA Initiative, with support from UNICEF through a partnership involving the Ekiti State Government and Generation Unlimited 9ja.

Participants engaged market women, commercial motorcycle operators, community leaders and other residents. Students came from Ekiti State University, Federal University Oye-Ekiti and other institutions, including polytechnics and colleges of education in the state. Project Lead Modupe Adetiba said environmental protection required active participation by residents and communities rather than government action alone.

She said the students were demonstrating that young people could identify social problems and help develop solutions. Adetiba urged residents to dispose of refuse responsibly and increase tree planting. She also encouraged people to replace trees that were cut down, saying all community stakeholders had a role in protecting the environment.

Olasehinde Oloniyo, representing the Ekiti State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, said the wider programme focused on youth development, leadership and capacity building. Participants Favour Anjorin and Joel Oluwadunsin said the exercise raised awareness about sanitation, pollution, erosion, flooding and the importance of clean surroundings for healthy living.