Oke-Ira Senior Grammar School Wins 2025 LASEPA–Earthplus Contest
Atume Terfa
Oke-Ira Senior Grammar School from Education District VI emerged as the champion of the 2025 LASEPA–Earthplus Inter-Secondary School Environmental Competition, after the fiercely contested grand finale.
The atmosphere at the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, was electrified with excitement and purpose as students from across Lagos gathered to showcase their creativity and commitment to saving the planet.
This year’s edition, themed “Solutions for a Viable Environment: Towards a Future with Zero Plastic Pollution,” brought together young minds determined to design a cleaner, greener Lagos. The event, jointly organised by LASEPA and Earthplus Environmental Sustainability Network, served as a platform for students to pitch real-world environmental innovations and demonstrate how small actions can drive big change.
From recycled art to upcycled household items, each of the ten finalist schools presented unique projects centred on reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable living. Competing teams included “The Collectables” from Grandmate School, “Trash to Treasure” from Keke Senior High School, “Eco Cycle” from Ikeja Senior Grammar School, and “The Young Environmentalists” from Oke-Ira Senior Grammar School, among others.
Oke-Ira’s winning project wowed both the judges and the audience with its innovative approach to plastic waste management, merging creative recycling techniques with environmental education. Their team’s passion and originality earned them the coveted ₦500,000 grand prize, crowning them as the 2025 Environmental Champions.
Grandmate School and Oshodi Comprehensive Junior High School finished as first and second runners-up, respectively, receiving recognition for their ingenuity and commitment to environmental advocacy.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Omobolaji Tajudeen-Gaji, Permanent Secretary in the Office of Environmental Services (Ministry of Environment and Water Resources), represented by Dr. Sojunu Olasunkanmi, commended the participants for their proactive involvement in environmental stewardship.
“The energy and innovation we’ve seen from these students prove that the fight against plastic pollution is in capable hands,” she said. “The government’s efforts toward effective waste management and a cleaner Lagos can only be sustained when our young people are part of the solution.”
Dr. Gaji reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to tackling plastic pollution through stronger regulation and continuous public sensitisation, including the ongoing ban on styrofoam and single-use plastics.
In his remarks, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager of LASEPA, described the competition—known as Project SOLVE 2.0—as a vehicle for nurturing environmental leadership among young Nigerians.
“These young innovators are not just competing for prizes—they’re shaping the future of sustainable living in Lagos,” he noted. “Their ideas can be developed into policies, startups, and community programs that make a measurable impact.”
Also speaking, Mrs. Olabisi Shonibare, Director of Partnership, Grant Management, and Innovation, emphasised the need for collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society in achieving environmental goals. She linked the competition’s purpose to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), calling for a collective commitment to sustainability.
For EarthPlus, the initiative goes beyond competition. Mrs. Mosadoluwa Otenaike, Deputy Team Lead of Earthplus, revealed that Project SOLVE was designed to empower students to develop scalable, community-based environmental solutions.
“This year, we focused on the global crisis of plastic pollution because it affects every Lagos community,” she said. “We received dozens of entries from across the state—from coastal schools facing waste challenges to urban centres struggling with plastic disposal. The creativity and urgency in these projects give us hope.”
As the winners lifted their trophy amid cheers, it was clear that the message of sustainability had taken root in the minds of Lagos’s next generation. Beyond the competition, these students have become ambassadors for change—champions of a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment.
With their victory, Oke-Ira Senior Grammar School has not only claimed the title of environmental champion but also set a benchmark for what is possible when innovation meets responsibility. The 2025 LASEPA–Earthplus competition may have ended, but its ripple effect will continue to inspire a greener Lagos—one student at a time.
