Stop Wasting Food, Keep Your Environment Clean — Oluremi Tinubu Urges Nigerians

By Seun Ayeni

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to reduce food waste, dispose of refuse properly and adopt more sustainable habits to protect the environment.

She made the call in a message marking World Cleanup Day 2026, observed on September 20 with the theme, “From Clean Plates to Clean Cities.” The 2026 global observance focuses on food waste and its impact on the environment, food systems and communities.

The First Lady said the focus on food waste was particularly relevant at a time when climate change, conflicts and other global challenges were disrupting food production and supply chains around the world.

“This year’s focus on food waste is particularly important at a time when climate change, conflicts, and other global challenges continue to disrupt food production and supply,” she said.

She urged Nigerians to recognise that environmental responsibility starts from individual homes and communities, particularly through the way food and other resources are consumed.

“Keeping our environment clean begins with reducing the waste we generate,” she stated.

Tinubu encouraged households, businesses and communities to be more deliberate about how they purchase, prepare, consume and preserve food.

She also called for proper refuse disposal and the adoption of sustainable practices capable of reducing pressure on the environment.

“I encourage households, businesses, and communities to reduce food waste, dispose of refuse properly, and adopt more sustainable practices that protect our environment,” she said.

According to the United Nations, more than one billion meals are wasted globally every day, while food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and places additional pressure on waste-management systems.

The UN also estimates that about 1.05 billion tonnes of food were wasted in 2022, representing roughly 19 per cent of food available to consumers.

The First Lady said reducing waste was important to creating cleaner and healthier communities for both present and future generations.

She called for collective action by individuals, businesses and communities, stressing that environmental protection should not be left solely to government.

“Through our collective efforts, we can build cleaner, healthier communities for present and future generations,” Tinubu said.

World Cleanup Day was formally designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2023, with September 20 set aside annually to promote awareness and action on waste management and environmental cleanliness.