The Airtel Africa Foundation has launched a new sustainability education initiative aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical environmental knowledge and climate action skills through specially designed learning spaces in schools across the country.
The programme, known as Airtel Green Schools, is being implemented by Airtel Nigeria as part of activities marking the 2026 World Environment Day, themed “Climate Action.” The initiative aligns with the Foundation’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda and broader corporate social responsibility efforts to promote sustainable development across its African markets.
Under the initiative, 10 adopted schools located across nine states and Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones have been transformed into Green Schools through the establishment of Airtel Gardens, dedicated environmental learning spaces that integrate climate education into everyday classroom activities.
Unlike conventional school gardens, the Airtel Gardens are designed as interactive outdoor classrooms where pupils can gain hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. The gardens feature edible crops, fruit trees and shade trees, enabling students to learn about food production, biodiversity, afforestation and the role of vegetation in mitigating climate change.
The schools have also been equipped with composting stations that convert organic waste into nutrient-rich fertiliser, while plastic recycling units encourage pupils to repurpose waste materials such as plastic bottles and used tyres. According to Airtel, the facilities are intended to promote circular economy practices and instil responsible waste management habits from an early age.
The beneficiary schools include St. George’s Nursery and Primary School, Ipaja, Lagos; Yahaya Primary School, Zaria, Kaduna State; Iyeru-Okin Primary School, Kwara State; St. John Primary School, Ijebu-Igbo and Mayflower Secondary School, Ikenne, both in Ogun State; Community Primary School, Amumara, Imo State; Presbyterian Primary School, Ediba, Cross River State; Migrant Farmers Community Primary School, Umuahia, Abia State; Gwange III Primary School, Maiduguri, Borno State; and Government Day Primary School, Gombe State.
Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, Segun Ogunsanya, said the initiative was created to move environmental education beyond awareness campaigns to practical behavioural change among schoolchildren.
“We are excited to inaugurate Airtel Green Schools, which are designed to go beyond awareness and create real behavioural change within Nigeria’s school communities,” he said.
According to him, the programme is built around the Foundation’s Restore, Reduce and Educate pillars, providing pupils with practical tools, including school gardens, recycling awareness and environmental learning resources, while creating a model that can be replicated across more schools in the future.
Speaking on the initiative, Airtel Nigeria Chief Executive Officer Dinesh Balsingh said climate action becomes meaningful when knowledge is translated into practical experience.
He noted that the Airtel Gardens would serve as “living classrooms” where pupils can learn about sustainable agriculture, waste management and environmental conservation, helping to nurture a generation that is better equipped to address climate and environmental challenges.
A major feature of the programme is the “Read, Engage, Plant” model, which combines environmental storytelling with practical activities. During the launch, Airtel employees participating in the company’s Employee Volunteer Programme read the children’s environmental storybook Jojo and Jade, Heroes of Mother Earth with pupils before leading tree and crop planting exercises, climate action pledges and the inauguration of Airtel Garden Eco Clubs.
The Green Schools initiative complements the Airtel Africa Foundation’s wider education and sustainability investments across the continent. According to the company’s 2026 Sustainability Report, the Foundation is implementing school infrastructure upgrades in several African countries under its School Adoption Programme while advancing initiatives focused on education, environmental sustainability, digital inclusion and financial empowerment.
