🎉 The Youth Environment and Climate Leadership (YECL) Essay Competition has officially wrapped, and WOW — what an inspiring ride it’s been! Powered by GreenHubAfrica and the World Resources Institute (WRI), this national contest brought together over 250 brilliant young minds from every corner of Nigeria, all passionate about reshaping the future of our planet. 🌍💡
🚀 A Movement, Not Just a Competition
This wasn’t just about essays. It was about action. Voice. Vision. From energy justice to climate-smart health innovation, Nigeria’s youth showed up and showed out — proving that they’re not just the leaders of tomorrow, but of right now.
Here’s what went down:
📌 3,692 youth trained with certificates in climate leadership
📌 250+ entries received from across all 6 geopolitical zones
📌 30 finalists, 12 winners
📌 Over $2500 Naira equivalent available in cash prizes
📌 Unlimited inspiration 🌱🔥
🥇 Drumroll Please… Meet the 1st and 2nd place Winners and their winning topics across the 6 geopolitical zones:
🌍 SOUTH SOUTH
🥇 Tamunobarafiri Brown – Decentralized Energy for Climate Resilience
🥈 Henry Orji – Climate Change and Health
🌿 SOUTH EAST
🥇 Chidinma Emihe – Just Energy Transition through Dialogue
🥈 Chioma Nnamchi – Energy Justice for All Nigerians
⚡ SOUTH WEST
🥇 Sunday Odu – Grant Writing Fellowship for Climate Action
🥈 Haliyah Shuaib – The Youth Climate Police Take Charge
🔋 NORTH CENTRAL
🥇 Amarachi Doris Amushi – Biogas: Waste to Wealth and Clean Energy
🥈 Paul Michael – Climate-Resilient Health Systems
🌬️ NORTH EAST
🥇 Hafsat Abdilkadir Jalo – Smart Innovations for Health & Climate
🥈 Ogbonnaya Ude – Border Green Alliance & Global Policy
☀️ NORTH WEST
🥇 Salim Sanu Haladu – Heatwaves and Health: Mitigating the Crisis
🥈 Izebe Evbogame – Climate Challenges in Kano State
Each winner is not only taking home $150 – $300 but also the pride of being a climate trailblazer in their region. 💰🏅
🌟 Why It Matters
Nigeria’s climate future isn’t written yet — and these youth are holding the pen. From policy ideas to grassroots innovation, the essays showcased how young Nigerians are thinking big, acting bold, and driving climate transformation from the frontlines.
What’s Next?
This is just the beginning. These winning ideas will echo far beyond the competition influencing policies, sparking ventures, and mobilizing communities. And for those who didn’t win? Your journey has only just begun. Keep writing, keep speaking, keep leading.
🗣️ To every participant: You are the climate generation. Let’s keep raising our voices louder, stronger, bolder.
Stay tuned for the next edition. 🌱✨
#YECL2024 #ClimateChampions #GreenHubAfrica #WRI #YouthForClimate