Excitement as Winners Emerge in Lagos Has Talent: Climate Edition 2025

Lagos Has Talent: Climate Edition, an innovative, youth-centred initiative championed by a collaboration between the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in partnership with C40 Cities under the Climate Action Implementation (CAI) Africa Programme and funded by the UK Government, ended in a powerful grand finale on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Designed to spotlight the creativity and climate consciousness of young Lagos residents, the event served as a bold declaration of what is possible when young people are empowered to drive awareness on climate action through art, innovation, and storytelling.

The competition drew a wide range of participants, including storytellers, fashion designers, poets, musicians, eco-entrepreneurs, and innovators aged 18-35 from Lagos. Through the competition, participants showcased their talents through proposing creative solutions to the climate crisis facing the state, aimed at amplifying climate action.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the top five finalists. Progress Jesutomiwa Giwa wowed the audience, emerging as the overall winner, taking home N5 million with a multimedia entry that merges aesthetics with activism by reimagining waste as a valuable resource in addressing the impacts of climate change. His heartfelt acceptance speech emphasized the importance of collaboration of peers in the sustainability field, shared responsibility by all in addressing climate change, and the power of purpose. “This is more than a recognition,” he said, “it is a responsibility.”

Other top winners included Ayomide Amusan, a sustainable innovator in the waste-to-fashion field, who earned N3 million. Ayomide's business turns waste nylon into functional and unique wonders in the form of accessories and homewares, showcasing what is possible when we rethink the value of waste. Anita Nwokoji, a spoken-word poet whose lyrical call to climate consciousness also emerged as a top winner, winning her N2 million with a moving poem that makes a powerful call to action for Lagos residents to hear Lagos’s cry and take initiative to restore her glory. The fourth and fifth place winners, Tiwalade Aderemi and Adebayo Razzak, respectively, also received cash awards of N500,000 each, as they highlighted through film and song, the power of various communication styles in creating awareness and encouraging positive change about environmental responsibility in Lagos.

Distinguished guests in attendance included Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Environment, Senior Officials from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, including the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environment Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen; Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engr. Mahamood O. Adegbite, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, and the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr. Tunde Ajayi.

Also present at the event was a representative of the judging panel, Omowunmi Omoseyindemi; Senior Scientific Officer at the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, as well as local and international development partners, including Amaka Agwu, the Regional Senior Programme Manager for Africa at C40 Cities, who highlighted the importance of inclusive climate action, especially in Africa’s growing cities.

Beyond the awards, the ceremony was filled with hope and vision. Mr. Michael Bankole, Director of Climate Change and Environmental Planning at the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, announced a mentorship programme for the finalists.

With over 100 entries received and evaluated through a transparent process, this edition has set a strong precedent. As the curtains fell, one thing was clear: Lagos is nurturing a generation of climate warriors who are as creative as they are committed.

The five finalists emerged following a rigorous assessment by a select panel of three judges, made up of climate change advocates, namely: Oluwaseyi Jesuton, a multi-award-winning climate advocate, whose impactful environmental awareness work began at a young age when she co-founded U-recycle Initiative Africa in 2018; Jumoke Olowookere, Founder and Creative Director of African Creative Hub (African Creative Sustainable Synergy Hub), an innovative social enterprise dedicated to fostering "a world without waste," and Omowunmi Omoseyindemi, Senior Scientific Officer at the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, where she plays a crucial role in advancing environmental initiatives.

Following the grand finale, the winners were hosted by the Honourable Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, at his office. During the meeting, each finalist had the opportunity to present their entry and share the inspiration behind their projects. Impressed by their passion and creativity, the Honourable Commissioner graciously announced an additional N1 million cash prize to the 4th and 5th place finalists. He announced that all five finalists would be formally integrated into the Ministry’s Climate Advocacy Team to serve as brand ambassadors and the faces of its various climate change initiatives.

The Lagos Has Talent 2025 Climate Edition competition highlighted the importance of including youth voices in the climate discourse. Through embracing various actions aimed at addressing the climate crisis, the Lagos Has Talent competition created a platform for youth perspectives to highlight innovative and creative ways that can shift how we create value from waste, encourage behaviour change and find solutions all around us.

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Source: Legit.ng