Bluer Africa Commends UNIDEL VC Over Plastic Waste Project as Final Evaluation Begins

A sustainability-focused NGO, Africa Blue and Coastal Community Development Initiative, has commended the Vice-Chancellor of University of Delta Agbor, Stella Chiemeke, for driving effective environmental management through the French Embassy-funded plastic recycling initiative.

Speaking during an assessment visit, the organisation’s Founder and Executive Director, Priscilla Ibadin, who served as final external evaluator for the French Embassy Funds Plastic Waste Recycling Project (209), described the university’s waste management system as operationally successful. She noted that plastic waste was visibly under control across campuses, citing the absence of indiscriminate disposal as evidence of strong implementation.

Ibadin explained that her organisation was commissioned to conduct a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of the project, covering environmental audits, institutional interviews, focus group discussions, and survey-based assessments. The evaluation also examined policy integration, administrative backing, and long-term sustainability mechanisms embedded within the university system.

During a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, the evaluation framework was formally outlined, after which university management provided a performance update on the initiative. Chiemeke disclosed that the institution had institutionalised its environmental strategy through Senate-approved policies on plastic waste management shortly after the project’s launch in January 2025.

She added that structured waste collection systems and designated dump sites across Owa-Alero and Owa-Oyibu campuses have supported the “crush-to-wealth” recycling model, backed by installed crushing equipment. The implementation strategy, she said, also integrates public sensitisation campaigns and stakeholder engagement, including collaboration with local traditional authorities.

The engagement transitioned into technical review sessions involving faculty deans and project stakeholders, who provided field-level insights into the operational rollout of the programme.

Senior university officials present included Deputy Vice-Chancellor Patrick Ijeh, Registrar Richmond Omagbemi, Bursar Sunny Ikeogwu, and University Librarian Vera Okonoko, alongside project coordinator Patricia Mbah and other academic leaders.

Members of the NGO delegation, including Country Director Tolu Olori, also participated in the exercise.

The initiative positions the university as an emerging model for integrating sustainability into academic systems, with implications for scalable plastic waste management practices across higher education institutions.