The C-Circle Foundation for Sustainable Health and Environment (C-Circle Foundation) has unveiled the 2025 edition of its National Schools Debate Project to raise youth awareness and action on plastic pollution in Nigeria.
The debate, themed “Ending Plastic Pollution,” was held in commemoration of World Environment Day and featured students from across Abuja, Imo, and Enugu states.
The Team Lead of the Foundation, Dr Chimere- May Ohajinwa, said in a statement on Sunday that the project aimed to harness youth potential through education, dialogue, and leadership to address the country’s environmental challenges.
She said the debate project, which has been running annually for five years, had reached over 500 students this year and was building momentum as a national movement for climate and public health action.
“Nigeria produces more than 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually but recycles less than 30 per cent with the remainder contributing to air and water pollution, soil degradation, flooding, and climate change”.
According to her, grassroots education and civic engagement are critical to reversing this trend.She explained that the 2025 edition featured thought-provoking topics.
“The 1st round of debate was on “Recycling single-use plastics is better than banning them” and on the 2nd round, the topic was “Is waste management the responsibility of the government or the citizen?”
In Abuja, the debate was held on June 4, with support from the Rotary Club of Abuja (The Grandfathers Club) and the Rotary Club of Abuja, Wuse II, GenU by UNICEF and others.
Sixteen secondary schools participated, where His Excellency International School, Bwari, emerged winner.
School for the Gifted, Gwagwalada came second, followed by Funtaj International School and Government Secondary School, Kubwa in third and fourth place, respectively.
In Imo, the debate held on June 26 with support from Rotary Club of Owerri Uptown, Rotary Club of Owerri, and Rotary Club of Owerri Cosmopolitan and others.
Great Insights High School, Owerri emerged winner, with Owerri Girls Secondary School, Urban Development Secondary School, and Imo Girls Secondary School also participating.
In Enugu, the event was held on June 27, supported by the Rotary Club of Trans-Ekulu and othersTrans-Ekulu Girls Secondary School won the competition, while Solid Base Private School, also in Trans-Ekulu, placed second.
“The debate is not just about public speaking. It is about developing critical thinking, leadership, and environmental consciousness,” Ohajinwa said.
She added that over 34 schools had been engaged so far, and plans are underway to scale up the initiative to reach 10,000 students across 15 states in 2026.
She called on development partners, the private sector, government agencies, and philanthropic foundations to support the initiative to expand its reach and deepen its impact.
She noted that the 2025 edition would not have been possible without the support of Rotary Clubs across Nigeria, Ianwilson Services Ltd, DNL Infrastructure Ltd, C-Circle Research, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), as well as family and friends of the foundation.
According to her, the goal of the foundation is to build a national network of youth environmental ambassadors, ready to lead conversations and action on sustainability.
She said the National Schools Debate Project presents a unique platform at the intersection of education, public health, and environmental change.
“The youth are ready. The structure is in place. What we need now is investment and collaboration,” she added.
