The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has recognised Ogun State for its role in advancing Nigeria’s transition to a circular economy and low-carbon future, citing the state’s environmental sustainability and climate action initiatives.
Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, disclosed this in Abeokuta while declaring open a UNIDO workshop on the State-Level Implementation Plan and Guidelines for Data Collection and Management under the Used Off-Grid Renewable Energy Equipment (OGREE) Waste Management Project.
He said the recognition places Ogun among the key states participating in UNIDO Project 220145, Component 2, which supports Nigeria’s Green and Just Transition to Net Zero through the adoption of circular economy principles and sustainable waste management.
According to Oresanya, the recognition reflects the Ogun State Government’s commitment to promoting resource efficiency, waste reduction, recycling, recovery and environmentally sustainable economic growth.
He added that the state’s selection for the OGREE Waste Management Project further strengthens its position as a national leader in climate action and circular economy initiatives.
The commissioner revealed that Ogun recently partnered with the Federal Government to distribute more than 3,000 biomass smokeless stoves to residents as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions, improve household energy efficiency and ease the rising cost of cooking fuel.
He also noted that Ogun is among the first states in Nigeria to introduce electric motorcycles and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses as cleaner alternatives to conventional fossil fuel-powered transport, in line with its Energy Transition Roadmap.
Oresanya highlighted other environmental initiatives implemented by the state, including the Blue Box Initiative for household waste segregation, the Plastic for Cash recycling scheme, community recycling projects, cement industry decarbonisation initiatives and senatorial material recovery programmes aimed at reducing waste while creating economic opportunities.
He urged participants from government agencies, development partners, academia, the private sector and civil society organisations to contribute actively to discussions aimed at strengthening the implementation of the OGREE Waste Management Project.
The commissioner also thanked UNIDO for its technical support and partnership in advancing sustainable waste management and environmental protection in Ogun State.
In her remarks, UNIDO Nigeria National Field Coordinator, Ms Emem Umana, commended Ogun State for its commitment to circular economy initiatives and environmental sustainability.
She encouraged the state to sustain its efforts, noting that its achievements in green development and climate action have continued to earn international recognition.
Umana explained that the OGREE Waste Management Project is designed to improve the environmentally sound collection, recycling and disposal of used off-grid renewable energy equipment, including solar panels and batteries, while supporting Nigeria’s transition to a more sustainable and resource-efficient economy.
