EcoSmart Club, a youth-driven grassroots organisation focused on climate action, has launched the Oniparo Project, a nine-month research initiative aimed at addressing fast fashion and reducing textile waste.
In a statement, the organisation said the project would spotlight the contributions of women known as Oniparos. These women engage in a long-standing barter-style trade, collecting and exchanging discarded clothing across parts of Western Nigeria.
The Founder of EcoSmart Club, Hannah Omokhaye, explained that the initiative would document both the environmental and economic value of the women’s work. She noted that it would also raise awareness about sustainable fashion and circular economy practices.
“These women are not only pioneers of the circular economy in Nigeria, but they also provide affordable clothing for low-income communities within and beyond the country, while sustaining their families,” she said.
Omokhaye warned that the traditional trade is increasingly under threat due to economic shifts, climate change, and evolving consumer behaviour. According to her, unpredictable weather conditions affect the traders’ mobility, while heatwaves pose health risks. She also pointed to a growing preference for disposable clothing, influenced by cultural and social changes.
She added that despite their impact, the contributions of Oniparos remain largely undocumented and underrepresented in discussions about informal circular economies.
The Oniparo trade involves women moving from house to house to collect fairly used clothes, which they exchange for money or household items such as buckets and basins. This system helps to redistribute clothing, reduce waste, and create livelihoods.
The project, supported by the African Climate Alliance, will run from March to October 2026. It also aims to increase public awareness of the environmental consequences of textile waste.
“This project is important because it highlights the co-benefits of zero textile waste, livelihood support, and cultural preservation,” Omokhaye added. “The Oniparo trade is a generational system that plays a vital role in clothing redistribution.”
Globally, the textile industry is a major employer but also a significant contributor to environmental pollution. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, approximately 92 million tonnes of textile waste are generated each year, much of which ends up in landfills or is incinerated.
The Project Manager, Oluwatoyin Ajao, said the initiative would also drive conversations around sustainable fashion and push for policy recognition of women working in the informal circular economy.
“This project represents a shift in our approach. Through inclusive storytelling, we are preserving culture while showcasing Afrocentric solutions to global challenges like textile waste and environmental sustainability,” Ajao said.
EcoSmart Club reaffirmed its commitment to promoting environmental awareness through community engagement, recycling and upcycling initiatives, advocacy, tree planting, and the development of green skills.
