Sahara Group Foundation opens 23rd recycling hub at Lagos Air Force base

The Sahara Group Foundation has officially commissioned its 23rd Sahara Go Recycling Hub, located at the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base in Ikeja, Lagos. The inauguration marks a significant expansion of the Foundation’s environmental initiatives, designed to transform recyclable waste from an environmental liability into a viable economic asset. By establishing this new facility, the organization aims to create targeted income opportunities for households through its waste-to-wealth programmes, while simultaneously strengthening sustainable waste recovery systems across Nigeria.

The ceremony was attended by key figures from the Sahara Group, the Nigerian Air Force, and corporate partners. Chidilim Menakaya, Director of the Sahara Group Foundation, addressed the gathering to highlight the organization’s continued investment in practical, community-focused solutions. According to Menakaya, the initiative aligns with broader sustainability and development priorities by converting waste into valuable resources. She highlighted that the initiative aids climate efforts, lowers ecological footprints, and generates income sources, illustrating how local groups can foster ecological accountability while driving broad-based economic expansion. Menakaya further emphasized that the Sahara Go Recycling program illustrates the transformative potential of collective action in building cleaner and more resilient communities through collaboration, innovation, and community participation.

Background

The Sahara Group Foundation serves as the social impact vehicle for the Sahara Group. Since its inception, the Sahara Go Recycling initiative has achieved substantial milestones in waste management and social enterprise. Up to this point, the scheme has enabled the processing of over 1,000 metric tons of recoverable materials. Furthermore, the initiative has directly and indirectly supported over 2,000 livelihoods across various sectors, including collection, sorting, logistics, and community-based enterprise activities.

The new hub at Sam Ethnan Air Force Base is the 23rd facility in the network. The location was selected in partnership with the Nigerian Air Force, represented at the event by Air Commodore M.A. Imam, Commander of the 651 Base Services Group. Imam commended the Foundation’s investment in environmental sustainability, emphasizing the critical importance of collective action in addressing waste management challenges within rapidly growing communities.

Corporate partners also played a role in the launch. Kingsley Okotie, Head of Corporate Communications at Ikeja Electric, spoke at the ceremony, expressing the company’s delight in joining forces with the Sahara Group Foundation. Okotie explained that the collaboration encourages prudent ecological management and enduring viability within the military installation. He reiterated Ikeja Electric's dedication to forging durable partnerships, improving uninterrupted electricity delivery, and safeguarding the welfare of clients, organizations, enterprises, and local populations.

Why it matters

The establishment of this hub addresses the dual challenges of environmental degradation and economic exclusion in urban areas. By integrating waste management with livelihood creation, the project aims to empower host communities across Nigeria. The organization's strategy prioritizes enduring ecological benefits while boosting incomes and reinforcing local control over sustainable methods.

The involvement of Ikeja Electric and the Nigerian Air Force underscores a multi-sectoral approach to sustainability. For the local community, the hub provides a structured pathway for engaging in recycling activities that generate income. For the broader region, it contributes to the reduction of environmental impact and supports national climate action goals. The collaboration highlights how public institutions and private entities can work together to unlock economic value from waste and encourage sustainable lifestyles among residents.

What happens next

The sources do not provide specific details on future expansion plans, additional hubs, or pending decisions following the commissioning of this 23rd facility. The immediate focus remains on the operation of the new hub at Sam Ethnan Air Force Base and the continuation of the Foundation’s existing waste-to-wealth programmes.