Foundation Empowers Young Innovators With N20m Green Grants

The Oando Foundation has awarded N20 million in grants to 10 outstanding young innovators following the successful completion of the pilot cohort of its Green Youth Upskilling Programme (GYUP), to boost youth-led solutions in Nigeria’s green economy.

The announcement was made during a close-out ceremony in Lagos, where the Foundation also unveiled a new cohort of 50 young Nigerians to train in renewable energy, waste management, and green enterprise development.

The 10 beneficiaries, drawn from Cohort I of the programme, were recognised for their exceptional performance and innovative ideas, earning them the title of Green Youth Champions. They include Temitope Fakorede, Barnabas Iorsue, Boluwatife Amodu, Toluwalase Abiona, Abdulmuiz Edun, Gbayere Onorena, Yunus Sodiq, Janet Ogechi Ohakwe, Aishat Ayyub, and Johnpaul Nwaike.

Collectively, the beneficiaries received grant funding totalling N20 million to scale their ventures, positioning them as catalysts for job creation and environmental sustainability within their communities.

Speaking at the event, head of Oando Foundation, Tonia Uduimoh, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to broadening access to education beyond traditional classrooms.

“As an organisation, the Oando Foundation has focused on education since its inception in 2011. While education remains our core, we also recognise that it extends beyond foundational learning and formal academics,” she said.

Also speaking, Lagos State commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, lauded the initiative, describing it as a model for impactful collaboration.

“GYUP is proof that when the private sector, civil society, and development organisations come together with a shared purpose, we can create opportunities that truly transform lives,” he said.

“Nigeria’s growing economy needs young people who are skilled, motivated, and ready to lead. Programmes like GYUP are exactly what is needed to build the future we want.”

Launched in July 2025, GYUP is a workforce development initiative designed to build technical and entrepreneurial capacity across key sectors, including renewable energy and waste management. The programme bridges skills acquisition with enterprise development, creating a pipeline of climate-conscious innovators and job creators.

The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s National Youth Policy and the revised National Employment Policy, both of which prioritise skills development, green jobs, and youth-driven climate solutions.