News
Coca-Cola Commemorates World Cleanup Day: Unveils “Project Revive” and Rewards Environmental Champions
The Coca-Cola Company, in 2018 launched a World without Waste Campaign with a simple focused purpose to make the world’s packaging waste problem a thing of the past.
The World Without Waste drive was built on three fundamental goals: make all consumer packaging 100% recyclable by 2025 and aspire to create packaging that is at least 50% recycled material by 2030; collect and recycle a bottle or can for each one the company sells by 2030; Work together with various partners to support a healthy, debris-free environment.
To drive this global mandate home, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited have partnered with RecyclePoints, a waste recycling and social enterprise to actualize a corporate recycling program.
The program implores the company’s associates to weekly drop-off the recyclables they recovered from their homes or neighborhood at designated point at the company’s official car park where it’s program partners, RecyclePoints picks the recyclables up for onward processing.
This program which started with Coca-Cola associates soon attracted keen observers within the Ikoyi community where Coca-Cola Head office is located. Street sweepers, facility cleaners, domestic helps and lots of other residents within Ikoyi axis quickly subscribed to participate and earn rewards following the recycling rewards program facilitated by RecyclePoints recycling model.
This scheme has attracted over 75 registered subscribers who have so far deposited over 10,000 kilograms of plastic bottles/cans.
An official ceremony was held on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, at the Coca-Cola parking lot in Ikoyi to duly reward participants with exciting gifts, ranging from home appliances to foodstuff.
In attendance were the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Belinda Aderonke Odeneye; Managing Director, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Mr. Ibrahim Adejuwon Odumboni; Executive Director, Extended Hands Foundation, Mrs. Stephanie Linus and Executive Director, RecyclePoints, Mr. Taiwo Adewole, to name a few.
Speaking on the initiative, the Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe said, “We have always remained committed to ensuring we achieve our environmental goals and this initiative is one of the many ways we aim to do so. We all have the collective responsibility of keeping our environment clean and Coca-Cola is committed to promoting a sustainable environment through its plastic recycling and recovery activities.”
She further noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused hardship and economic loss to individuals and communities. As part of Coca-Cola’s efforts to support communities recover from the economic challenges posed by the pandemic, a post-covid economic empowerment programme tagged “Project Revive” has been launched.
The Project Revive will support the economic recovery and empowerment of women and youths whom have been most impacted by the pandemic. They will be equipped with recyclables collection materials, training and access to drop-off points or recycling banks where they can exchange their recyclables for cash or household supplies. We’re resolutely focused on how we can create value and contribute best to our collective recovery like never before.
As part of the event, a recycling bank was commissioned to aid the gathering and processing of the collected materials.
Commenting on the recycling bank, Aderonke Oduneye, permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, added, “With this site, we’re making sure that the collection and onward processing of the recycled materials is made seamless and easy. We’re very optimistic about the project as we’re working on making this a first of many.”
“As partners, we are delighted to work with Coca-Cola to invest in the environment while in turn increasing the livelihood of our workers and Lagosians in general. We hope that we can inspire more residents to make a conscious effort to impact our environment positively” said Managing Director, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Ibrahim Adejuwon Odumboni.
Coca-Cola remains committed to ensuring the buy-in of everyone into the “World Without Waste” campaign and is much more committed to rewarding and encouraging, regardless of social class, those who participate in creating a sustainable environment for us all.
The Executive Director of RecyclePoints, Mr. Taiwo Adewole announced that their partnership with Coca-Cola will inform the setting up of more Recycling Banks and Drop-off Points in the country to make recycling very accessible and convenient for post-consumers to dispose their waste responsibly.
He stated that the target is to engage and empower 5,000 women before the end of the year under the Project Revive program and this will further strengthen Coca-Cola’s 5 by 20 ambition of empowering 5 million women entrepreneurs across its value change by 2020.
With grants of over $800,000 from the Coca-Cola Foundation to multiple local NGOs, several recycling and women empowerment programs are being implemented to address the issue of environmental protection while empowering women who are significant pillars of the environment.
New Horizons Nigeria has launched a N50 million initiative aimed at transforming 21 Almajiri children into skilled computer technicians within 90 days, to tackle youth unemployment and harness human potential.
The Almajiri-to-Tech programme, officially launched in Abuja on Monday, provides participants with full training, meals, clothing, tools, and logistics support, all fully funded.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer of New Horizons, Tim Akano, said the programme represents a new journey in the history of Nigeria by restoring the original purpose of the Almajiri system, which he described as “children sent out to seek knowledge.”
“The word Almajiri comes from an Arabic term meaning emigrant and seeker of knowledge. Historically, children were sent to learn morals, responsibility, and skills to add value to society,” Akano said.
He added that the disruption of this system during colonial times forced many children onto the streets, a challenge that persists today.
Akano highlighted the urgency of addressing the Almajiri issue, noting that there are an estimated 15 million Almajiris in the country, with a population growth rate of around three per cent annually.
“If we do not solve this problem as a country, we are sitting on a time bomb,” he warned.
According to him, the programme focuses on hands-on technical skills rather than theory. Trainees will learn to repair mobile phones, laptops, televisions, radios, standing fans, and other electronic devices, as well as build inverter batteries using recycled electronic waste.
“We are not teaching theory. We are teaching practical skills you can use to earn a living,” Akano said, stressing that the programme will not interfere with the participants’ Quranic education.
“We are still going to allow you, within the period of learning. Your learning computer here is not stopping your Quranic education.
“You still have time within our space here. Whenever you want to go and pray, you can pray, then come back to class,” the CEO stressed.
He added that participants will also receive daily meals, water, T-shirts identifying them as technicians-in-training, and access to all necessary tools and equipment throughout the 90-day programme.
Akano said the initiative is part of a larger mission by New Horizons Nigeria, which has spent the past 21 years training about 100,000 Nigerians annually in IT and related skills.
He said the new programme aims to “take human genius off the streets and convert it into human capital, enabling these youths to contribute meaningfully to the economy.”
He added that equipping Almajiris with skills could add 15 million people to Nigeria’s workforce and potentially increase the country’s GDP by as much as $20 billion, stressing that productivity depends on practical skills and opportunity.
“Everything that can be taught can be learned. If someone can memorize the Quran cover to cover, there is nothing that cannot be done. What they lack is information, opportunity, and infrastructure, and we are providing all of that,” Akano said.
Akano also stressed that the initiative is designed to inspire other organizations and government agencies to replicate similar programmes across the country.
“This is not just about 21 children; it is about showing Nigeria what is possible when resources meet intention and planning.
“If we succeed in empowering these Almajiris, we demonstrate that the country can turn social challenges into economic opportunities. It’s a blueprint for Nigeria’s future,” he said, noting that the initiative combines social reform, technical education, and economic empowerment.
Also speaking, one of the trainees, Fatima Umar, appreciated the organisers and promised to maximise the opportunity.
“We’ll make you proud of us. We have nothing to say here but to thank and appreciate you. May Almighty Allah continue to guide and protect you,” Umar said.
International Monetary Fund has upgraded Nigeria’s 2026 economic growth projection to 4.4 per cent, reflecting improved macroeconomic stability and sustained reforms.
IMF
The January 2026 World Economic Outlook Update forecasts Nigeria’s growth trajectory at 4.1 per cent in 2024, 4.2 per cent in 2025, and 4.4 per cent in 2026—a 0.2 percentage point increase from the October 2025 estimate.
This aligns with sub-Saharan Africa’s projected 4.6 per cent expansion in 2026 and 2027, driven by regional stabilisation efforts.
Globally, the IMF anticipates 3.3 per cent growth amid resilient conditions tempered by trade policy shifts and technology investments. For Nigeria, declining energy prices—expected to fall seven per cent due to weak demand—pose risks, though OPEC+ coordination and China’s stockpiling provide support.
Despite the optimism, downside risks persist from Middle East and Ukraine tensions, protectionism, high debt, and fiscal deficits. The Fund recommends rebuilding fiscal buffers, ensuring central bank independence, and limiting temporary fiscal measures to maintain stability.
Nigeria’s success hinges on consistent reforms and resilience against domestic and global shocks, the IMF concluded.
Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) reports that Nigeria’s crude oil production, excluding condensate, dropped by 0.7 per cent to 1.486 million barrels per day (mbpd) in November 2025 from 1.496 mbpd in October.
OPEC
The figure, drawn from secondary sources in OPEC’s December 2025 Monthly Oil Market Report, fell short of Nigeria’s 1.5 mbpd quota. Direct communication data showed output at 1.436 mbpd, up from October’s 1.401 mbpd, but still below target.
Nigeria produces around 196,028 bpd of condensate, excluded from quota calculations per Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission figures. Year-on-year, November’s output marked a slight gain over 1.417 mbpd in November 2024.
Expert Cites Insecurity, Governance Gaps
Petroleum economics expert Wumi Iledare described the quota miss as unsurprising, blaming persistent insecurity, an ageing oil basin lacking new finds, and unoffered hydrocarbon blocks. Governance shortcomings and policy uncertainty further erode investor confidence, he noted.
Selective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act worsens the situation, with Nigeria needing a single authoritative leader for the sector rather than multiple proxies, Mr Iledare stressed. The country has struggled to consistently hit OPEC targets for years.
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