Reporting on the Imole Circular Economy and Waste-to-Wealth Training and Next Steps
By Great-Emperor Ola
Osogbo, Nigeria
In Osun State, the proverb “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” has moved from saying to reality under the visionary leadership of Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke. The state successfully launched the Imole Circular Economy and Waste-to-Wealth Training, a pioneering initiative aimed at turning waste into profitable opportunities for youths and women, while advancing environmental sustainability.
The two-day training, which took place on Wednesday and Thursday, 13th and 14th August 2025, at the Osun State Assets Management Building in Abeere, marked a major step in Osun State’s climate action agenda and commitment to green entrepreneurship.
“This is more than picking dirt - this is picking our future,” declared Professor Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe, Lead Technical Consultant to the Governor on Climate Change and Renewable Energy. “Money is in Osun and we can generate wealth from our waste.”
The program coincided with the one-year anniversary of the Imole Recycling Hub, a center dedicated to green innovation, recycling and climate-friendly business solutions. Participants - primarily youths and women, were trained in:
• Upcycling discarded materials
• Repurposing biodegradable waste
• Integrating renewable energy solutions into small enterprises
• Eco-friendly packaging and sustainable product design
• Waste-to-energy innovations
On the second day, attendees visited the Imole (Osun State) Recycling Hub at Testing Ground, Osogbo witnessing live demonstrations of waste transformation processes. They saw organic waste converted into compost, plastics recycled into new products and energy-efficient solar lanterns produced from recycled materials. Each participant received a free Imole Solar Lantern, symbolizing a brighter, greener future.
“This is not a flash in the pan,” Prof. Obuaku-Igwe emphasized. “We are institutionalizing recycling, creating jobs, protecting the environment and ensuring no one is left behind. In Osun today, waste is no longer waste - it is raw material for wealth creation.”
Building on the success of the first edition, the state is preparing the second edition of the training, introducing a referral reward system. Each registered participant will be encouraged to refer at least one new participant, earning ₦300 per successful referral (equivalent to 1kg of PET bottles), further expanding participation and reinforcing Osun’s green economy ecosystem.
The next session will also continue practical, hands-on learning, networking opportunities with green entrepreneurs, and exposure to circular economy business models. By combining training, incentives, and community engagement, Osun State is positioning itself as a national leader in waste-to-wealth innovation and climate-smart entrepreneurship.
Participants from the first training left with certificates, practical skills, and renewed purpose, ready to transform waste into income streams. The upcoming second edition promises to build on this foundation, broadening the network of green entrepreneurs and ensuring the program’s long-term impact.
For more information about upcoming trainings and participation opportunities, interested individuals can contact the Imole Recycling Hub or the Office of the Osun State Government on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Office of the Governor.
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