As part of activities marking World Cleanup Day 2026, civil society groups, community leaders and volunteers have joined forces to clean up parts of Kaduna, North West Nigeria and raised awareness about environmental protection.
The 2026 World Cleanup Day is being observed under the theme “From Clean Plates to Clean Cities,” highlighting the need to reduce food waste and promote cleaner, healthier and more sustainable communities.
Speaking during the cleanup exercise in Kaduna, Habiba Suleman, organiser of the 2026 World Cleanup Day activities in Kaduna and Head of Plogging Nigeria, Kaduna State University (KASU), said many organisations participated in the exercise with the aim of cleaning up Kaduna environs and encouraging residents to take greater responsibility for their environment.
She said the participation of civil society organisations, community leaders and volunteers demonstrates the importance of collective action in addressing waste pollution and other environmental challenges affecting communities.
According to her, the exercise goes beyond simply picking up waste, as it is also intended to create greater awareness about responsible waste disposal, recycling and the need to keep public spaces clean.
Also speaking, the Head of Communication and Strategies at African Climate Reporters (ACR), Ibrahima Yakubu, said ACR participated in the cleanup exercise as part of its commitment to environmental protection and climate action.
He said the media has an important role to play in educating the public about waste management, pollution and climate-related environmental challenges.
Ibrahima Yakubu stressed that keeping Kaduna clean requires collective responsibility from government institutions, civil society organisations, community leaders, businesses, the media and residents.
He added that African Climate Reporters will continue to promote climate and environmental journalism as a tool for creating awareness, encouraging behavioural change and mobilising communities to take action against environmental degradation.
