No state entered N50m green challenge, Remi Tinubu laments

Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has voiced disappointment over the lack of participation from state governments in a significant environmental initiative. She noted that not a single state government entered the N50 million prize category of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Green Nigeria Challenge, an effort designed to motivate youths to convert abandoned spaces and dumpsites into vibrant green parks and gardens.

“

It was a N50m prize money, and they didn’t enter. This was supposed to get our youth involved.

Tinubu made these remarks at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while honoring the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Bunkure. They were recognized for their work in transforming the Abuja City Gate into a notable recreational landmark. Certificates of commendation were presented to them for the FCT Administration's environmental efforts, which Tinubu described as a "physical manifestation" of the challenge's community category aims.

“

I’m using this opportunity to appeal to our First Ladies: get our young children into the environmental clubs and environmental societies for our youth in tertiary institutions.

"It was a N50m prize money, and they didn’t enter. This was supposed to get our youth involved," Mrs. Tinubu stated, emphasizing the missed opportunity for youth engagement. She appealed to the wives of state governors to actively mobilize young people into environmental clubs and sustainability initiatives, drawing from her own positive experiences with environmental programs during her college years.

“

When I saw what he did with the City Gate, my God, unbelievable. I want to thank him. He’s done very well.

Highlighting the success of the City Gate transformation, she called it "unbelievable" and an "excellent example" of what neglected public areas can become. The First Lady urged for greater youth engagement in national environmental stewardship, stressing that "Everybody has something to contribute to this country." The Household and State categories of the Green Nigeria Challenge remain open for submissions until December 20, 2026.

“

The remodelled Abuja City Gate is an excellent example of what abandoned public areas can become: a transformed key national landmark that warmly welcomes all Nigerians and visitors to our nation’s capital.