IBWU Foundation Partners with Kemi Illinoye Foundation on Cleanliness Initiative
The It Begins With U Foundation (IBWU), a registered charity in Canada, and the Kemi Illinoye Foundation (KIF), a non-profit organization in Nigeria, have joined forces to launch the “Ibadan Cleanest Schools Program 2026.” This initiative aims to foster hygiene, innovation, and civic responsibility among secondary school students in Ibadan.
Expanding Reach with Proven Partnerships
IBWU is recognized for executing impactful projects throughout Nigeria and is steadily broadening its outreach with ambitions to extend its efforts into additional states. By choosing Ibadan for this initiative, IBWU has strategically partnered with KIF, recognizing its extensive experience in developing and implementing programs that inspire substantial societal change.
A Structured Competition for Schools
Formalized through a memorandum of understanding in March 2026, the program will engage schools in a structured competition designed to promote a clean, sustainable, and innovative learning atmosphere. Participating institutions will be judged on several criteria, including cleanliness, creativity, teamwork, sustainability, and effective resource management.
Incentives for Participation and Excellence
To incentivize participation and recognize outstanding efforts, IBWU will award a grand prize of £1 million to the cleanest school. Additional cash prizes, bursaries, and rewards will also be presented to the second, third, and fourth-place schools. These accolades are intended not only for recognition but also to encourage ongoing improvements within school environments.
Collaboration with Educational Authorities
This initiative is implemented in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Education and is backed by relevant governmental agencies. The program encompasses several stages, from engaging stakeholders and registering schools to conducting inspections, managing media relations, and hosting a grand awards ceremony that will honor the highest-performing schools.
Commitment to Youth and Environmental Responsibility
Kemi Illinoye, Executive Director of KIF, expressed gratitude towards the IBWU Foundation for its dedication to youth development and commitment to environmental sustainability. She emphasized that this initiative goes beyond mere cleanliness, aiming to cultivate a generation of responsible and innovative individuals who value environmental stewardship.
Long-Term Vision for Environmental Impact
The program will culminate in a prestigious awards ceremony attended by government representatives, educators, students, and business leaders, where exemplary schools will be celebrated. This initiative seeks to instill long-term behavioral change and position participating schools as leaders in hygiene and environmental responsibility—an achievement that IBWU has consistently demonstrated in other parts of Nigeria.
