By Adebisi Bolarinwa and Philip Oyekanmi
The University of Lagos (UNILAG), in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Nigeria and Plastic Odyssey, has commissioned a plastic recycling microplant within the university campus as part of the French Embassy Funds (FEF) plastic waste management project.
The event, held at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, aimed to address plastic waste challenges and promote environmental responsibility within the university through innovation, capacity building, and entrepreneurship development
The Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Folusho Lesi, said that the collaboration reinforces the institutional vision of fostering meaningful international partnerships that advance research, innovation, sustainability, and development.
According to him, UNILAG is one of the two universities selected to co-design and host the innovative microplant project.
“The initiative strategically engages 13 Nigerian universities committed to promoting sustainable environmental practices on their campuses. I am particularly proud that the University of Lagos emerged as one of the two universities selected,” he expressed.
He noted that the timing of the initiative is significant, especially as the university generates an average of 32.4 tonnes of solid waste daily.
“Plastic pollution remains a local and global environmental challenge that demands urgent and innovative interventions,” he added.
Lesi explained that the initiative would improve efficiency and help close the loop in the waste stream by transforming plastic waste from an environmental burden into an economic and developmental asset.
He also urged campus media organisations and other media outlets to intensify awareness campaigns on environmental waste management to encourage proper plastic disposal habits among students.
PASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT A GLOBAL CHALLENGE
Speaking at the event, the Consul General of France in Lagos, Laurent Favier, revealed that the issue of plastic management has remained a global concern for years. He noted that the initiative is important in reducing plastic pollution by addressing the full life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal, while promoting recycling and reuse.
He further said the first phase of the project focused on engaging students through awareness campaigns to change everyday bad habits into good habits. He added that the facility will provide training, research, and entrepreneurship opportunities for students.
The Plastic Odyssey representative, Souleymane Ciss, described the microplant as a laboratory where ideas become experiments, then develop into solutions. He said the facility would serve as an incubator for students to innovate and shape the future of the circular economy.
“To students, this space is yours. Test, fail, live, and build. The only limit is your imagination,” he said.
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