The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) has launched its Adopt-a-School Campaign at COWA School, marking a strategic effort to nurture environmentally responsible young Nigerians.
The initiative, anchored on the COWA Green Borders & Sustainability Initiative (CGBSI), aims to institutionalise environmental education in schools while equipping students with practical skills to promote sustainability within their communities.
The launch event, held on March 16, 2026, drew participation from students, educators, environmental advocates, and representatives of five Nigeria Customs Service commands, including PTML, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) A, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT), Ogun II, and Apapa. As part of the ceremony, the host institution was designated as the first Green Borders Eco-School, signalling the start of a structured nationwide campaign to deepen environmental awareness among young people.
The programme featured a range of interactive, student-focused activities such as environmental drama, recycling innovation challenges, eco-art exhibitions, panel discussions, and educational games. A major highlight was the Green Campus Tree Planting Festival, during which dozens of trees were planted across the school premises to advance long-term environmental restoration and climate action goals.
To ensure continuity, COWA established a Green Borders Eco-Club within the school to drive ongoing advocacy. The club will coordinate initiatives such as tree nurturing, recycling projects, and environmental sanitation exercises. Students were also inducted as Young Green Guardians after taking a pledge to protect the environment and promote responsible waste management within their communities.
Speaking at the event, COWA National President Kikelomo Adeniyi emphasised the importance of early environmental education. She stated that “if we are to build a Nigeria that is environmentally secure and sustainable, we must begin by investing in our children, because they are the custodians of tomorrow’s environment.”
She added that “through this Adopt-a-School campaign, we are not only planting trees, but also nurturing a generation of young leaders who understand the importance of protecting their environment.”
Highlighting the broader vision, Adeniyi noted that the initiative is designed to evolve into a nationwide movement. “Our goal is to create a network of Green Schools across Nigeria where students are empowered to take ownership of environmental sustainability within their communities. This is not a one-off event, but the beginning of a sustained effort to build environmentally conscious citizens,” she said.
COWA disclosed that the programme will be expanded across Customs commands nationwide, focusing on environmental education, tree planting, recycling, and waste management, alongside the establishment of eco-clubs in schools.
The initiative is expected to strengthen community-based environmental stewardship while positioning young Nigerians as key drivers of sustainable development.
