Lagos targets student innovation with clean energy challenge

The Lagos State government has launched a clean energy innovation challenge for secondary school students to encourage interest in renewable energy and in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

Biodun Ogunleye, commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, said the initiative is intended to expose students to innovation in the clean energy sector while encouraging them to develop practical solutions to energy challenges.

“The future of sustainable energy depends not only on infrastructure but, more importantly, on people,” Ogunleye said. “Through the Lagos Cleaner Energy Schools Innovation Challenge, we are investing in the next generation of innovators by nurturing creativity, inspiring critical thinking and empowering students to develop practical solutions.”

Speaking at a recent stakeholders’ convening, Ogunleye said the maiden edition of the Lagos Cleaner Energy Schools Innovation Challenge (LCESIC) 2026 is an initiative of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources that will enable students to develop practical solutions to energy-related challenges.

Participating schools are required to register teams comprising five students, a supervising teacher and a mentor. The teams will develop clean energy projects within designated technical categories and compete at district-level contests before progressing to a state championship.

The initiative comes as Lagos and other sub-national governments increasingly seek to expand investment in renewable energy, following the enactment of the Electricity Act, which allows states to play a larger role in electricity generation, transmission and distribution within their jurisdictions.

Industry stakeholders also called for greater investment in STEM education to build the skilled workforce required to support Nigeria’s energy transition and growing clean energy market.

Ogunleye said schools participating in the competition will develop solutions within specified clean energy tracks, with successful teams advancing from district-level contests to the state finals.

He urged Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2) students in Education Districts I, II and III to take advantage of the learning opportunity.