Lagos youth program connects sports with tech and environment

A new program aimed at empowering youth by linking sports with technology and environmental awareness has started in Lagos. Students from 10 schools received technology devices and sports equipment.

This is the third edition of Project 9-12, organized by JustUsed Tech in collaboration with Passback. The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency and other partners also supported the initiative. The goal is to improve access to digital tools and sports for young people.

The schools involved are Wesley Girls’ Senior Secondary School; Lagos City Senior College, Sabo-Yaba; Aiyetoro Senior Grammar School, Ebute-Metta; Oke-Odo Junior High School; Mainland Senior High School, Fadeyi; Mainland Junior High School, Fadeyi; Birrel Avenue Senior High School, Sabo-Yaba; Victokev Schools, Ikorodu; Jibowu Junior High School, Yaba; and Eletu Odibo Senior High School, Abule-Oja, Yaba.

Titilayo Oshodi, the Lagos State Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy, said programs that mix youth development, technology, sports, and sustainability can help create responsible citizens.

“Anything that has to do with our young ones, because they are the growing economy; anything that has to do with technology, because that is the next frontier; and anything that has to do with community, because that is the basis of any economy, should bring a lot of excitement,” she explained.

Oshodi added that sports can engage youth while teaching them about environmental care. “Sports is a very strong passion point of the youth. You will see that they will catch their attention. The young ones like their gadgets, and they enjoy what they do,” she said.

She encouraged young people to practice responsible waste disposal. She pointed out that discarded items can hold economic value if collected and recycled properly. The state government is working on a system that includes the government, communities, and private companies in waste collection, recycling, and value creation.

Hazel Iwendi, the Head of Operations and Programmes Lead at JustUsed Tech, said the project started after they noticed many young people lack access to technology and sports gear.

“Project 9-12 is an initiative for technology assets and sports assets. We noticed that a lot of children do not have access to technology and sports equipment, and we thought, why not have a combined event where people gain access to sports kits and technology and empower them to be better?” Iwendi stated.

She mentioned that the program would expand beyond the 10 schools to cover more districts, communities, and eventually other states.

Olabisi Shonibare, the Director of Partnerships, Grant Management and Innovations at the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, said the program is a positive step for youth.

“This is a welcome development for the youths. To catch the youths, you need innovations like this. It is about IT and technology, and it is about sports,” she noted.

Shonibare said electronic waste is a major sustainability challenge and urged people to sort their waste at home for better recycling. She emphasized that combining sports with environmental education would help young people understand and remember the message better.