SUMAS SHINES AS STUDENT WINS NIA ESSAY ON ENDING GLOBAL PLASTIC POLLUTION
Enugu, Nigeria
3rd July, 2025
The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Enugu State Chapter, proudly presented the 2025 World Environment Day celebration themed “Ending Global Plastic Pollution”. The event, held in Enugu, brought together architects, environmentalists, students, and community members to highlight the urgent need to combat the devastating effects of plastic pollution on the environment. The programme was designed to inspire innovative solutions from the next generation, focusing on the transformative power of architecture in addressing this global crisis.
The theme “Ending Global Plastic Pollution” aligns with global efforts to drastically reduce plastic waste, which have become one of the most pressing environmental challenges worldwide. Plastic pollution not only endangers marine and terrestrial ecosystems but also poses significant health risks to humans. Recognizing this, the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Enugu State Chapter, aimed to spotlight the role that architecture and design can play in turning plastic waste into valuable resources a concept they described as “plastic waste to wealth.”
One of the key activities during the World Environment Day programme was a student essay competition centered on the topic: “Architectural Solution: Plastic Waste to Wealth as a Strategy for Ending Plastic Pollution.” The competition was open to students across Enugu State, encouraging them to explore creative and sustainable ways architects could incorporate recycled plastic into building materials, design innovative structures using plastic waste, and promote eco-friendly construction practices that minimize environmental footprints.
The essay competition attracted numerous entries from various tertiary institutions, showcasing fresh ideas and deep concern for environmental sustainability. Participants proposed ideas such as the development of affordable housing using plastic bricks, eco-friendly pavements made from recycled plastics, and modular furniture fashioned from repurposed plastic materials.
Among the impressive submissions, one stood out remarkably an essay by Assumpta Ngwu, a diligent student from the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences, Igbo-eno, Enugu State. Assumpta’s essay was praised for its originality, clarity, and practical approach to addressing plastic pollution through architectural innovation.
Assumpta Ngwu scored the highest marks in the essay competition and was declared the winner of the contest. Her achievement will be celebrated during the closing ceremony of the World Environment Day event on the 10th of July, 2025 at the Chapter’s Social Evening.
The 2025 World Environment Day celebration by the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Enugu State Chapter, was a resounding success. By focusing on the theme “Ending Global Plastic Pollution” and empowering students to contribute through the essay competition, the event highlighted the potential of architecture as a powerful tool in environmental conservation. As the world continues to grapple with plastic pollution, innovative minds like Assumpta Ngwu give hope that sustainable solutions are within reach turning plastic waste into wealth, and pollution into progress.
