Track 2 - Sustainabiity and Technical Expertise
Track 1 - Understanding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relevance to Nigeria's social, economic, and environmental development. Participants will explore the 17 SDGs, understand their interconnected nature, analyze Nigeria's progress and challenges, and develop practical solutions to address local sustainability issues.
The course combines global perspectives with Nigerian case studies, encouraging learners to become active contributors to sustainable development within their communities, schools, workplaces, and businesses.
Recycling Technologies
Course Description
Technology has transformed modern society, but it has also created one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world—electronic waste (e-waste). Every year, millions of computers, mobile phones, televisions, batteries, solar panels, household appliances, and other electronic devices become obsolete. If improperly managed, these wastes release hazardous substances that threaten human health and the environment. However, these same discarded technologies contain valuable materials such as gold, silver, copper, aluminium, lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements that can be recovered and reused.
This course introduces learners to the rapidly evolving field of Recycling Technologies, focusing on the science, technologies, and business opportunities involved in recovering valuable materials from waste. Learners will explore modern recycling technologies, e-waste management systems, green technologies, renewable energy solutions, resource recovery, circular economy principles, and technology-driven innovations for sustainable development.
Special emphasis is placed on Nigeria's growing electronic waste challenges, renewable energy transition, emerging green jobs, environmental policies, and opportunities for entrepreneurship within Africa's circular economy.
The course combines theory with practical applications and real-life Nigerian case studies, enabling learners to understand how recycling technologies contribute to environmental sustainability, climate action, resource efficiency, and economic development.
Unleashing Creativity: Exploring the World of Upcycling
Course Description
Plastic and tyre waste have become two of Nigeria's most pressing environmental challenges. Millions of plastic bottles, sachet water bags, food containers, and discarded vehicle tyres are generated daily, with much of this waste ending up in drainage systems, waterways, illegal dumpsites, or being openly burned. These practices contribute to flooding, pollution, biodiversity loss, public health challenges, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Yet, these same waste materials represent valuable resources that can be transformed into innovative products with environmental, social, and economic benefits.
This course introduces learners to the exciting world of upcycling, where creativity meets sustainability. Unlike traditional recycling, which often breaks materials down into raw materials, upcycling transforms discarded items into products of equal or higher value without significant reprocessing. Participants will learn how to convert plastic and tyre waste into furniture, home décor, fashion accessories, school equipment, playground installations, garden products, and marketable crafts while contributing to climate action and the circular economy.
Using Nigerian examples, practical demonstrations, and community-based case studies, learners will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to develop creative solutions, reduce environmental pollution, generate income, and promote sustainable lifestyles.
Wastenomics & Recycling
Course Description
Waste is no longer viewed simply as an environmental problem; it is increasingly recognized as a valuable economic resource capable of creating employment, wealth, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Across the world, the concept of Wastenomics—the economics of waste—has emerged as a practical approach to transforming waste into valuable products, services, and business opportunities.
Nigeria generates millions of tonnes of municipal, industrial, agricultural, electronic, and commercial waste annually. While poor waste management contributes to flooding, pollution, disease outbreaks, and climate change, it also presents enormous opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, communities, and governments to recover value through recycling, composting, remanufacturing, and other circular economy strategies.
This course introduces learners to the principles of Wastenomics and Recycling, demonstrating how waste can become a driver of economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social development. The course emphasizes Nigerian realities while drawing on international best practices and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Throughout the five modules, learners will explore waste management systems, recycling technologies, business opportunities, value chain development, environmental policies, and practical approaches to establishing successful recycling enterprises. The course concludes with a practical capstone project where learners develop a waste-based business or community recycling initiative.
Overview of Waste Management in Nigeria/Circular Economy Models
Course Description
Nigeria generates over 32 million tonnes of solid waste annually, with municipal solid waste increasing rapidly due to urbanization, population growth, industrialization, and changing consumption patterns. Poor waste management contributes to flooding, environmental pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, public health challenges, and loss of valuable resources.
This course introduces learners to the Nigerian waste management landscape and explores how Circular Economy Models can transform waste into valuable resources. Learners will examine waste streams, policies, technologies, recycling systems, financing mechanisms, entrepreneurship opportunities, and successful Nigerian and international case studies.
The course emphasizes practical knowledge that learners can apply within homes, schools, businesses, industries, and communities while supporting Nigeria's transition toward a sustainable circular economy.
Circular Economy and Sustainable Resource Management
Course Description
Nigeria's growing population, rapid urbanization, increasing consumption patterns, and industrial development have intensified pressure on natural resources while contributing significantly to waste generation and environmental degradation. Traditional "take-make-dispose" economic models are proving unsustainable, leading to pollution, biodiversity loss, climate change, and resource depletion.
This course introduces learners to the principles and practices of the Circular Economy, a regenerative economic model designed to eliminate waste, maximize resource efficiency, and create sustainable economic opportunities. Participants will explore how products, materials, and resources can remain in productive use for as long as possible through strategies such as redesign, reuse, repair, remanufacturing, recycling, composting, industrial symbiosis, and sustainable consumption.
The course places particular emphasis on Nigerian and African realities by examining national policies, local industries, informal recycling systems, entrepreneurship opportunities, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), community-based resource recovery, and innovations that support sustainable development.
By the end of the course, learners will understand how circular economy principles can be applied at household, community, business, and government levels to promote environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and social inclusion.
Climate Justice and Environmental Education
Climate change is not only an environmental issue—it is also a social, economic, health, and human rights issue. The impacts of climate change are not shared equally. Vulnerable populations, including women, children, low-income communities, people living with disabilities, rural communities, and indigenous populations, often experience the greatest effects despite contributing the least to greenhouse gas emissions. This imbalance is at the heart of climate justice.
This course introduces learners to the principles of climate justice while exploring the role of environmental education in creating informed citizens capable of driving sustainable development. Using Nigerian and African case studies, participants will examine how climate change affects livelihoods, health, agriculture, water resources, biodiversity, education, urban development, and national development.
The course equips learners with practical knowledge, advocacy skills, community engagement strategies, and project planning tools needed to become effective climate ambassadors and environmental educators in their communities.
Introduction to Climate Change
Introduction to Business and Sustainability
This course introduces learners to the concept of sustainability and its importance in ensuring a healthy environment, thriving society, and strong economy for present and future generations. It combines global sustainability ideas with Nigerian realities—such as waste management, climate change impacts, food security, and energy challenges—to help students think critically and act responsibly in their communities.
