Sahara Group Foundation and Plan International Nigeria have signed a partnership agreement to expand a waste recycling program that prioritises economic empowerment for adolescent girls and vulnerable communities in Nigeria.
The collaboration was formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed on January 19 in Lagos. It links Sahara Group’s existing Sahara Go Recycling Project with Plan International Nigeria’s expertise in gender equality, child protection, and youth development. Under the agreement, at least 60 percent of program participants will be adolescent girls.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Chidilim Menakaya, director of Sahara Group Foundation, said, “Sahara Go Recycling was conceived in 2021 as more than an environmental initiative; it is a deliberate platform for inclusion, dignity, and sustainable livelihoods.”
The program converts recyclable waste into economic value while creating income-generating opportunities for participants in host communities. By embedding social inclusion metrics directly into its operational targets, the initiative marks a shift from traditional corporate environmental programs that focus mainly on waste recovery.
Plan International Nigeria will contribute development frameworks focused on gender inclusion and safeguarding to strengthen the existing recycling infrastructure. The organisation implements education, protection, and economic empowerment programs across several states in the country.
Commenting on the partnership, Charles Usie, country director of Plan International Nigeria, said, “When environmental action is intentionally designed to create livelihood, dignity, and economic empowerment, girls are better positioned to learn, build skills, and contribute meaningfully.”
The agreement reflects growing interest among multinational corporations operating in Nigeria to align sustainability initiatives with measurable social outcomes. Sahara Group, an international energy conglomerate, launched the Sahara Group Foundation recycling program in 2021 as one of its four flagship social responsibility projects.
Sheila Ojei, director of philanthropy at Plan International Nigeria, said safeguarding protocols be integrated into program delivery. She added that the organisation plans to track outcomes across eight UN Sustainable Development Goals, including responsible consumption, gender equality, and reduced inequalities.
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