Senate Approves GreenSpree Nigeria Initiative to Empower 50 Million Nigerians with Healthcare and Green Jobs

The Nigerian Senate has officially endorsed the GreenSpree Nigeria Initiative, a groundbreaking effort designed to empower 50 million Nigerians with access to healthcare and green job opportunities as part of a broader strategy to drive national development and combat climate change.

Senator Seriake Dickson, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, affirmed that by supporting the GreenSpree Initiative, the Senate is prioritizing a greener, more equitable future for the nation. He also noted that the Senate is collaborating with the federal government to help achieve the initiative’s ambitious goals, positioning Nigeria at the forefront of climate action, social welfare, and economic innovation across Africa.

Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe, Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, described the initiative as a transformative step in economic and environmental sustainability. She emphasized that GreenSpree is not just focused on addressing plastic waste but is also about creating meaningful opportunities for Nigerians to actively shape a more sustainable and equitable future for the country.

“The initiative is timely, as Nigeria is working to meet its commitments under the SDG Decade of Action. GreenSpree aims to empower 50 million Nigerians, particularly those in rural areas, by providing them with universal healthcare wallets, free green transport tokens, green innovation grants, and green job opportunities,” she explained.

Mr. Victor Agih, Lead Climate Finance and Circular Economy Advisor for the project, called GreenSpree a “game-changer” in Africa’s transition to a circular economy. He emphasized that the initiative is creating a dynamic ecosystem where environmental sustainability and social progress go hand in hand.

GreenSpree is the first plastic credit program of its kind in Africa, designed to promote plastic waste recycling through a National Plastic Recycling Credit Scheme. The initiative not only contributes to the global goal of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but also lays the foundation for transforming Nigeria’s waste management industry.

“This scheme will accelerate progress on several SDGs, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land),” Agih stated.

One of the key features of the GreenSpree Nigeria Initiative is the introduction of a plastic credit lottery, a revolutionary platform designed to incentivize recycling behavior across Nigeria. By turning plastic waste into currency, the scheme will fund social welfare programs and generate thousands of green economy jobs, especially in rural areas. This will promote job creation, skills development, and community empowerment.

Strategic partnerships and reinvestment of credits will ensure that 50 million Nigerians gain access to essential health services, reducing barriers to healthcare and addressing urgent public health needs.

GreenSpree’s unique combination of environmental and social impact offers a model for other nations in Africa and beyond, showcasing how a sustainable and inclusive green future can be achieved.