World Environment Day: VCDF, Sterling Oil lead Lagos climate literacy, tree planting campaign – EnviroNews

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World Environment Day has become a powerful reminder that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present challenge shaping daily life, community wellbeing, and the future of younger generations. It underscores a simple truth: protecting the environment begins with everyday decisions and practical actions that build a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable world.

In collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Basic & Secondary Education, the Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) and Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) launched the Grow Green initiative – an environmental education and tree‑planting programme designed to inspire climate‑smart habits among students across Lagos. The initiative aligns with the state’s climate awareness and sustainable development goals and has already resulted in the planting of 5,500 tree saplings across 153 schools, part of a broader target of 10,000 trees in six educational districts.

To mark World Environment Day 2026, VCDF and SEEPCO partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Basic & Secondary Education and the Waste Management Society of Nigeria (WAMASON) to extend the celebration beyond awareness into hands‑on learning. On June 27, 2026, students engaged in practical climate literacy activities that deepened their understanding of environmental stewardship.

A total of 202 students from Eva Adelaja Girls Junior and Senior Secondary Schools in Bariga, and Government Model Junior and Senior Colleges in Owutu, Ikorodu, participated alongside 20 teachers, 58 SEEPCO volunteers, and community leaders. Together, they planted 336 tree saplings across both schools.

Participants received training on waste segregation, learning to classify waste into six categories – biodegradable, recyclable, hazardous, sanitary, electronic, and residual. This exercise demonstrated how proper waste sorting contributes to cleaner school environments and healthier communities. Students also explored composting techniques, discovering how organic waste such as food scraps and leaves can be transformed into nutrient‑rich compost that supports plant growth.

Throughout the activities, students were encouraged to see themselves as emerging environmental advocates capable of influencing positive change in their homes, schools, and communities. Stakeholders emphasized that climate action is a shared responsibility that directly impacts human wellbeing.

Ikorodu community leader Samuel Eruwa captured this sentiment, noting: “This is laudable because it speaks to human wellbeing. When the environment is neglected, human life is affected. We appreciate VCDF and the Lagos State Ministry of Education.”

For many students, the experience created a personal bond with environmental responsibility. Senior student Ayomide Modat shared: “From tomorrow, I will water my tree every morning and evening. I will also share what I’ve learned with my family and juniors. Even after I graduate, I will continue to encourage others to plant trees.”

One SEEPCO volunteer reflected on the emotional significance of the exercise, saying they dedicated their tree to late family members: “Knowing that these trees will continue to grow and give life makes me feel that their memory lives on through them. This experience meant far more to me than simply planting a tree.”

As Lagos continues to expand, initiatives that strengthen environmental awareness and responsible waste management remain essential to building a cleaner, greener, and more resilient city. Every tree planted, every waste item properly sorted, and every student empowered represents a meaningful investment in cooler spaces, cleaner air, healthier schools, and stronger communities.

VCDF reaffirmed its commitment to working with SEEPCO, government agencies, environmental organizations, and communities across Nigeria to advance climate literacy and environmental stewardship for future generations.