Sahara Group Foundation, the social impact vehicle of Sahara Group, has commissioned its 23rd Sahara Go Recycling Hub at Sam Ethnan Air Force Base in Ikeja, Lagos, as part of efforts to promote environmental sustainability, create livelihood opportunities and strengthen community participation in waste management.

The initiative seeks to transform recyclable waste from an environmental burden into an economic resource by creating income-generating opportunities for households and supporting waste-to-wealth programmes that promote inclusive economic growth.

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The new facility also reinforces the Foundation’s commitment to expanding sustainable waste recovery systems and empowering host communities across Nigeria through practical environmental interventions.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Director of Sahara Group Foundation, Chidilim Menakaya, said the initiative reflected the organisation’s commitment to community-focused solutions that deliver lasting environmental and socio-economic benefits.

“This initiative aligns with our sustainability and development priorities by transforming waste into valuable resources, reducing environmental impact, supporting climate action and creating livelihood opportunities. It demonstrates how communities can advance environmental responsibility while promoting inclusive economic growth,” she said.

Menakaya said the Sahara Go Recycling initiative demonstrated the potential of collective action to build cleaner, more resilient communities while encouraging residents to take ownership of sustainable environmental practices.

“Through collaboration, innovation and community participation, we are driving long-term environmental impact while improving livelihoods and strengthening community ownership of sustainable practices,” she added.

Air Commodore M.A. Imam, Commander of the 651 Base Services Group, commended the Foundation for investing in environmental sustainability, emphasising the importance of collective action in addressing waste management challenges in rapidly growing communities.

He noted that partnerships between corporate organisations, institutions and host communities were important to developing practical approaches to environmental management and promoting responsible waste disposal.

Also speaking, Kingsley Okotie, Head of Corporate Communications at Ikeja Electric, expressed delight at the company’s partnership with Sahara Group Foundation in advancing environmental stewardship and sustainability at the Air Force base.

He reaffirmed Ikeja Electric’s commitment to building sustainable relationships, enhancing seamless power supply and supporting the well-being of customers, institutions, businesses and communities.

The commissioning ceremony attracted representatives of Sahara Group and Sahara Group Foundation, the commandant of the 651 Base Services Group, other Air Force officials, community leaders, volunteers and residents, highlighting the importance of collaboration in delivering sustainable environmental solutions.

Since its inception, Sahara Go Recycling has facilitated the recycling of more than 1,000 tonnes of recyclable waste and directly and indirectly supported over 2,000 livelihoods across waste collection, sorting, logistics and community-based enterprise activities.

The initiative provides opportunities for individuals and small businesses to participate in the recycling value chain, helping to unlock economic value from discarded materials while promoting more sustainable lifestyles.

Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, the programme continues to encourage responsible waste management and demonstrate how recycling can contribute to environmental protection and local economic development.

Sahara Group Foundation said it would continue expanding Sahara Go Recycling in line with its mission of building sustainable communities through EXTRApreneurship, its approach to promoting entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities through community-driven solutions.

The commissioning of the Ikeja facility marks another milestone in the Foundation’s efforts to integrate environmental responsibility with economic empowerment, positioning recycling as both a tool for reducing waste and a pathway to more inclusive and sustainable communities.