By Nkechi Eze
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has issued a passionate call to action urging Nigerian women to take their rightful place at the forefront of the fight against plastic pollution, as the country joins the global community to commemorate World Environment Day 2025 under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution.
In a powerful address marking the occasion, the Minister described the environmental crisis as a defining moment for humanity, one that demands “courage, clarity, and collective action,” especially from women who bear the brunt of its devastating impact yet remain uniquely positioned to lead transformative change.
“Today, we stand at a turning point, a moment that demands courage, clarity, and collective action,” Hon. Imaan declared. “World Environment Day 2025 is not just another commemoration; it is a bold call to defend the one home we all share —Mother Earth.”
She lamented the widespread impact of plastic pollution, which she described as an insidious threat infiltrating every aspect of human life and degrading the natural systems on which survival depends.
“Plastic pollution is silently choking our planet,” she said. “It poisons our rivers and oceans, contaminates our food and water, and infiltrates even the air we breathe. The damage is not distant or abstract, it is personal. It is in our kitchens, our markets, our homes, and our bodies.”
Speaking specifically to the Nigerian context, Hon. Imaan emphasized that the burden of environmental degradation falls heavily on women, who are often the first to experience the consequences and, at the same time, the first to respond with resilience and innovation.
“For Nigerian women, this crisis strikes at the heart of their daily lives,” she noted. “From rural farmers who rely on clean soil and water to urban mothers managing household waste, women are the first to feel the weight of environmental degradation. But they are also the first responders and the fiercest protectors of their families and communities.”
The Minister warned that the consequences of inaction are already visible, pointing to rising levels of displacement, food insecurity, and public health risks, all exacerbated by pollution and climate change.
“Floods caused by blocked drainage systems, contaminated water sources, and degraded farmlands are forcing women to flee their homes,” she stated. “These disruptions are tearing communities apart, undermining livelihoods, and deepening the vulnerability of women and children.”
Underscoring the Federal Government’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim affirmed that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs is strategically mobilizing women to be solution providers rather than passive victims of climate and environmental crises.
“The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs is leading the charge to ensure that women are not just victims of climate and pollution crises, but leaders in the solution,” she declared. “We see this day as a bold move to reclaim our future, and we will sustain this momentum through strategic partnerships with key Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Environment, Health, Education, Water Resources, and others whose work intersects with our mission to empower women, protect children, and strengthen families.”
The Minister emphasized that reversing the tide of pollution requires shared responsibility, calling on women across religious, professional, academic, and traditional spaces to be champions of environmental protection and advocates for sustainable alternatives.
“Let me be clear: beating plastic pollution is not someone else’s job. It is our collective responsibility,” she asserted. “And I call on women across all spaces, from boardrooms to markets, from mosques to churches, from classrooms to traditional councils, to rise and lead this campaign. Say no to single-use plastics. Promote eco-friendly alternatives. Educate your communities. Influence change where you live and lead.”
In a stirring conclusion, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim encouraged women to embrace their historic role as protectors of life and agents of change, reiterating that the nation’s collective future depends on bold environmental action now.
“Let us be the women that turn the tide. Let this be the year that Nigeria’s women take their rightful place on the frontlines of environmental justice and climate action,” she said. “Because when we protect our Earth, we protect our children. We protect our health. We protect our future. Together, we will beat plastic pollution.”
