The French Embassy in Nigeria, on Wednesday, renewed its commitment to environmental sustainability and the fight against plastic pollution through support for grassroots initiatives, university-led research, and student-driven innovations.
As part of this effort, the Embassy announced it is funding the installation of two plastic recycling microplants at Nile University in Abuja and the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
The Deputy Ambassador of the French Embassy, Mr. Jean-François Hasperué, disclosed this in Abuja during a high-level conference to mark the 2025 World Environment Day.
Hasperué said France is taking both global and local action to address environmental degradation, with a special focus on protecting oceans, preserving biodiversity, and empowering communities.
Hasperué said, “We are part of the global strategy of France because, of course we would like to act at different levels. We act first globally, and that is why we decided to welcome the UN Conference on Ocean, which is actually happening in Nice from June 9 to 13 this very week.
“And that’s why in the wake of this global conference, we wanted here in Nigeria and in Abuja to organise, at our level, debate—but not only debate here, but activities all over the month of June. And we had at least 11 activities happening in six different states in Nigeria in order, first of all, to raise awareness in Nigeria, but also to really support empowering global local communities.
“We have been working for many years with civil society organisations. We are helping these organisations to work, to do training, and we have, from time to time, bigger funds.
“To help universities in recycling plastic. So, within this project, we have two microplants that will be given to Nile University and UNILAG to recycle plastic within the universities. We are also funding a project in five different universities, and we are finally supporting training with civil society organisations and universities.”
He called for stronger international cooperation and smarter plastic production and recycling practices, adding that, “Plastic was once a solution, but its massive proliferation has made it a serious problem. We must find better ways to produce, recycle, and minimise its global impact.”
In his remarks, the Science and Higher Education Attaché at the French Embassy, Mr. Sebastian Bede, highlighted the French Embassy Fund’s role in fostering innovative solutions within Nigerian universities.
Bede stressed the importance of sensitisation efforts, such as the student competition hosted as part of the conference.
He said, “We launched a COFA project last year, where we received 22 projects, among which we selected five, and a committee selected five projects to develop local solutions.
“This is a fund of 66,000 euros. And on top of that, we also asked French universities to collaborate on the projects developed by these Nigerian universities to also start collaboration in one specific discipline, but it can later go further.
“And the last one is the sensitisation, and this is the reason why we are here today. Through this breakfast debate, we want the audience today, made of researchers, students, and civil society, to know more about this plastic pollution in Nigeria, also thinking that whatever pollution starts here in Nigeria may end in France or the US.
“So, this pollution has no border, and whatever plastic I throw up in France, in the streets, may end up here in Nigeria. So this is a common issue we have, and that’s why we have to work together to develop solutions. And later this morning, we will have this prize remittance ceremony. We launched this competition in 13 universities, all of them are here on the balance. We have more than 600 participants.
“Only 12 laureates. The work is displayed here, exhibited here this morning, and we can feel that there is a real sense of urgency through the work done by the students—the songs they have created, the texts, the poems, the dresses, and the paintings. So, I feel that this generation is really aware of the emergency to tackle plastic pollution.”
Bede stressed that the Embassy’s long-term vision is to scale up successful university projects in collaboration with the private sector.
He furher underlined the global nature of the pollution challenge, saying, “Plastic waste has no borders. Pollution generated in one country may affect another. That is why we must work together—governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector—to develop sustainable solutions.”
