First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called on Nigerians to reduce food waste and adopt responsible consumption and waste-disposal practices to promote cleaner and healthier communities.

Mrs Tinubu made the call in her message marking World Cleanup Day 2026, observed on Sunday, September 20, with the theme, “From Clean Plates to Clean Cities.”

She said the growing impact of climate change, conflicts and other global challenges on food production and supply made it necessary for individuals, households and organisations to become more conscious of how they use and dispose of food.

According to her, efforts to keep the environment clean must begin with reducing the amount of waste generated by homes, businesses and communities.

“Today, on World Cleanup Day 2026, with the theme ‘From Clean Plates to Clean Cities,’ reminds us that keeping our environment clean begins with reducing the waste we generate,” she said.

The First Lady said the focus on food waste was particularly important as disruptions caused by climate change and conflicts continue to affect food production and supply globally.

She urged Nigerians to be more responsible in the way they purchase, prepare, consume and preserve food.“We must, therefore, become more responsible in how we purchase, prepare, consume, and preserve food,” Mrs Tinubu said.

She also encouraged households, businesses and communities to pay greater attention to proper refuse disposal and other environmentally sustainable practices.

“I encourage households, businesses, and communities to reduce food waste, dispose of refuse properly, and adopt more sustainable practices that protect our environment,” she added.

Mrs Tinubu stressed that building cleaner surroundings required collective responsibility and sustained action from citizens and communities.

She said collective efforts would help create cleaner and healthier communities for both present and future generations.