Secondary school students across Lagos State will compete in the 2026 Lagos Clean Energy Schools Innovation Challenge (LCESIC), an initiative to drive clean-energy innovation and STEM education among young people.
The challenge was launched Wednesday in Ikeja by the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
Speaking at the launch, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, said the program is more than a competition. He said it is a platform to build the next generation of energy innovators who will design and lead future energy systems.
“This is not simply a competition. It is a platform for our young people to identify problems, ask questions, develop ideas and create solutions to real-world energy challenges,” he said.
Ogunleye said the challenge will focus on four areas: solar energy and photovoltaics, energy efficiency and conservation, biogas and waste-to-energy, and wind and hybrid energy systems.
He said Lagos, as Nigeria’s economic and innovation hub, must deliberately invest in young people and expose them early to innovation and practical problem-solving. He urged students to be curious, collaborate and learn from setbacks, noting the goal is beyond winning a project.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ibilola Kasunmu, described the challenge as an investment in the future of the energy sector. She said it will bring together SS1 and SS2 students from Education Districts 1, 2 and 3 to develop solutions across the four thematic areas.
According to her, students will progress from district-level contests to the state-level and then the championship. The programme aligns with the state government’s THEMES+ Agenda on youth development, STEM and sustainability.
She commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the commissioner, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, principals, teachers and partners for their support.
In a goodwill message, representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Bosede Adumasi, said the initiative allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real challenges. She called for continued collaboration among government, schools and industry partners.
The launch was attended by officials from the Ministry of Energy, Lagos State Electrification Agency, Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, district officials, principals, teachers, students and media.
The challenge is expected to give students practical exposure to clean energy while building skills in innovation, teamwork and problem-solving, creating a pipeline of future professionals for Lagos and Nigeria.
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