The Foundation for a Better Environment, working with Deloitte Nigeria, has awarded N3.5 million in seed funding to early-stage green startups as part of efforts to promote sustainability across the country. The grants were distributed to the three finalists at the FABE Foundation EcoLeaders Accelerator Programme 2026 Closeout, Impact Showcase and Green Innovation Pitch, held in Lagos on Thursday. The first-place winner received N2 million, the second-place finalist N1 million and the third-place winner N500,000 to begin putting their ideas into practice.
The accelerator programme was designed to address a gap in how young Nigerians engage with environmental challenges. Temitope Okunnu, founder and chief executive officer of FABE International Foundation, said the initiative aimed to move young people beyond simply being aware of climate issues towards becoming equipped leaders capable of solving them. Ten young entrepreneurs pitched waste-to-value and climate adaptation solutions after undergoing intensive training through the FABE Institute of Sustainability, with their pitches focused on tackling waste management, circular economy and community resilience challenges.
Nigeria faces significant waste management pressures that make such initiatives timely. According to the Lagos State waste management authority, the city, with a population exceeding 16 million, generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of solid waste daily. Government officials at the event pledged their backing for youth-led climate action. Yusuf Kelani, special assistant to the president on climate change matters, said through a representative that building a climate-resilient Nigeria requires investing in young people and creating opportunities for them to turn innovative ideas into impactful solutions.
Titi Oshodi, special adviser to the Lagos State Government, emphasised that policy frameworks alone are insufficient without practical implementation. She noted that the Climate Change Act of 2021, the national policy on solid waste management and the national policy on plastic waste management provide the structure for climate action, but these must translate into real outcomes for businesses and communities. She stressed the importance of balancing enforcement with incentivization to help viable ideas grow.
For Deloitte, the partnership reflects a broader sustainability strategy. Olajumoke Agbetanmije, sustainability consultant for Deloitte West Africa, said building leaders focused on creating a green economy is essential for future generations, not just in Nigeria but across Africa. The funding initiative means young entrepreneurs now have both seed capital and support networks to implement sustainability solutions in a country facing mounting environmental challenges.