The Lagos State Government has launched the Lagos Clean Energy Schools Innovation Challenge, LCESIC 2026 to equip secondary school students with practical skills in clean energy, STEM education, innovation and problem solving.
The initiative, launched on Wednesday at the ASSBIFI Event Centre, Alausa, is being implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and targets Senior Secondary School One and Two students across Education Districts 1, 2 and 3.
Speaking at the launch, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Biodun Ogunleye, said the initiative was designed to nurture the next generation of innovators capable of contributing to the development of future energy systems.
Ogunleye said the rapidly changing global energy landscape required deliberate investment in young people who would design, build, regulate, manage and lead energy systems in the future.
He said LCESIC would provide students with a structured platform to identify real-world energy challenges, develop ideas, test solutions and apply scientific knowledge and creativity to practical problems.
“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.
The Commissioner said the challenge would focus on four thematic 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 continue to develop the human capacity needed to participate meaningfully in the transformation of the energy sector, adding that such capacity building should begin early through exposure to innovation, technology and practical problem-solving.
Ogunleye urged participating students to remain curious, work collaboratively, test their ideas and learn from setbacks, stressing that the objective was not limited to producing a winning project but also to developing young people capable of identifying challenges and working systematically towards practical solutions.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to collaboration with the education sector, schools, private-sector partners, mentors and other stakeholders to create opportunities for young people to learn, innovate and contribute to Lagos State’s development.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Mrs Ibilola Kasunmu, described the challenge as an investment in young people and the future of the energy sector.
Kasunmu said the energy challenges facing Lagos State and the wider world required young people who could think critically, embrace technology and develop practical and sustainable solutions.
She explained that the maiden edition would see eligible SS1 and SS2 students progress from district-level competitions to the State-level competition and ultimately the championship.
The Permanent Secretary said the programme aligns with the Lagos State Government’s commitment to youth development, STEM education, innovation and sustainability under the THEMES+ Development Agenda.
She acknowledged the support and leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and Commissioner Ogunleye in advancing initiatives that invest in the future of young people.
Kasunmu also commended the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Education Districts, school principals, teachers, mentors and implementing partners, particularly Dr Yetty Ogunnubi, founder of YD Company, for their contributions to the development and implementation of the initiative.
In her goodwill message, the representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Adumasi Bosede, described LCESIC as an initiative that would give students opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.
Adumasi stressed the importance of collaboration among government institutions, schools, teachers, industry partners and other stakeholders in nurturing young talents and capabilities.
She urged the participating students to approach the challenge with enthusiasm, curiosity and an open mind, noting that meaningful innovation begins with identifying a genuine need and developing an appropriate solution.
The launch brought together officials of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Lagos State Electrification Agency, Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Education Districts, school principals, teachers, mentors, participating students, implementing partners and members of the media.
The Ministry said the challenge would give participating students practical exposure to clean-energy concepts while strengthening their skills in innovation, creativity, teamwork and problem-solving.
It added that the initiative would also support collaboration between the energy and education sectors in developing young talent and creating a pipeline of future professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators for Lagos State and Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape.