The Foundation for a Better Environment (FABE Foundation), in partnership with Deloitte Nigeria, has awarded N3.5 million in seed funding to three young sustainability leaders to support practical solutions to environmental challenges.

The grants were presented at the FABE Foundation EcoLeaders Accelerator Programme 2026 Closeout, Impact Showcase and Green Innovation Pitch, held on Thursday in Lagos.

The programme is designed to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to develop and implement solutions that address environmental and community challenges.

Speaking at the event, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FABE International Foundation, Mrs Temitope Okunnu, expressed appreciation to Deloitte Nigeria for supporting the initiative.

Okunnu said the programme recognised that awareness of climate change, waste management challenges and unemployment must be accompanied by practical action, innovation, enterprise and leadership.

“We need young people who can connect these challenges to solutions, enterprise, innovation, policy, leadership and action. That is what EcoLeaders was created to do,” she said.

She explained that participants had received intensive training at the FABE Institute of Sustainability over the preceding months, preparing them to develop solutions to environmental problems.

During the Green Innovation Pitch, 10 finalists presented their sustainability projects, with the top three selected to receive a combined N3.5 million to implement their ideas.

Under the funding arrangement, the first-place winner will receive N2 million, the second-place winner N1 million, while the third-place winner will receive N500,000.

Okunnu said the initiative was intended to close the gap between training young people and giving them the resources and opportunities to put their ideas into practice.

“We want our EcoLeaders to leave here knowing that their ideas matter. That they can start where they are,” she said.

She added that knowledge, mentorship, partnerships and determination could help young innovators transform modest ideas into solutions that improve communities.

Also speaking, Deloitte West Africa’s Nigerian Sustainability Consultant, Mrs Olajumoke Agbetanmije, commended FABE Foundation for successfully delivering the 2026 EcoLeaders Accelerator Programme.

Agbetanmije reaffirmed Deloitte’s commitment to supporting initiatives that advance sustainable development and strengthen the capacity of young leaders.

She said building a green economy required leaders equipped to drive sustainability across Nigeria and Africa.

“At Deloitte, our strategy is deeply rooted in impacting lives, doing impacts that really matter. And that is why you see us doing initiatives about climate change,” she said.

According to Agbetanmije, Deloitte’s climate initiatives focus on communities, clients and its workforce, while encouraging meaningful action on climate change.

She emphasised the importance of developing young leaders capable of creating sustainable solutions to environmental challenges across Nigeria and the wider African continent.

The Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change Matters, Mr Yusuf Kelani, represented at the event by Mr Taiwo Adewole, also praised FABE International Foundation for its efforts to develop young sustainability leaders.

Kelani said achieving a climate-resilient Nigeria required investment in young people, the development of practical green skills and opportunities for innovators to turn their ideas into impactful solutions.

He noted that programmes such as the EcoLeaders Accelerator could contribute to climate action, circular economy development, green entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability.

He also praised the Green Innovation Pitch for enabling young innovators to present their solutions and gain access to mentorship, partnerships and resources needed to advance their projects.

Kelani added that the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change Matters remained committed to supporting initiatives that empower young Nigerians to contribute to the country’s green transition.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government, Mrs Titi Oshodi, stressed the importance of effective policy implementation in advancing sustainability initiatives.

Oshodi commended FABE Foundation and its partners for establishing a platform that encourages young people to develop solutions to environmental problems.

She said successful sustainability efforts depended on clear policies, skilled personnel, businesses capable of delivering solutions and adequate financing to support viable ideas.

According to Oshodi, the Climate Change Act of 2021 provides a framework for climate action, while national policies on solid waste and plastic waste management guide waste management and resource recovery.

She stressed that translating policy commitments into practical outcomes was essential for businesses and communities to benefit from sustainability initiatives.

Oshodi added that effective policy implementation could create opportunities for businesses and workers while ensuring young people played meaningful roles in the transition towards a more sustainable economy.

SOURCE: AshenewsDaily