The Lagos State Government has launched the 2026 Lagos Clean Energy Schools Innovation Challenge to encourage secondary school students to develop practical solutions to energy challenges while promoting clean-energy innovation and STEM education.
The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, will expose participating students to clean-energy concepts and strengthen their skills in creativity, teamwork, technology and practical problem-solving.
Speaking at the launch held at the ASSBIFI Event Centre, Alausa, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, described the initiative as an investment in the next generation of clean-energy innovators.
Ogunleye said the changing global energy landscape required deliberate investment in young people who would design, manage, regulate and lead future energy systems. He said the challenge would provide students with an opportunity to identify real-world energy problems, develop ideas, test solutions and apply scientific knowledge to practical challenges.
He said the competition would focus on four areas: solar energy and photovoltaics; energy efficiency and conservation; biogas and waste-to-energy; and wind and hybrid energy systems.
The Commissioner urged participating students to remain curious, collaborate, test their ideas and learn from setbacks, stressing that the objective was not only to produce a winning project but also to develop young people capable of finding practical solutions to energy challenges.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Mrs. Ibilola Kasunmu, said the maiden edition of the challenge would involve eligible Senior Secondary School One and Senior Secondary School Two students from Education Districts I, II and III.
Kasunmu explained that participants would progress from district-level competitions to the state-level competition and ultimately the championship. She said the initiative aligns with the state government’s focus on youth development, STEM education, innovation and sustainability.
The representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Adumasi Bosede, described the initiative as an opportunity for students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.
She stressed the importance of collaboration among government institutions, schools, teachers and industry partners in nurturing young talents and encouraged the participating students to approach the challenge with curiosity and an open mind.
The launch brought together officials from the energy and education sectors, school principals, teachers, mentors, students, implementing partners and other stakeholders.
The Lagos Clean Energy Schools Innovation Challenge is expected to provide students with practical exposure to clean-energy technologies while helping to develop a pipeline of future professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators in the energy sector.