The Lagos State Government has commenced registration for the maiden edition of the Lagos Cleaner Energy Schools Innovation Challenge (LCESIC) 2026, inviting secondary school students to develop innovative clean energy solutions as part of efforts to nurture the next generation of energy innovators.
The initiative, unveiled by the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, is designed to inspire creativity, strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, and equip students with practical skills to address emerging energy challenges.
Speaking on the programme, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Biodun Ogunleye, described the challenge as a strategic investment in the future of Lagos and a demonstration of the state’s commitment to youth empowerment, innovation and sustainable development.
“The future of sustainable energy depends not only on infrastructure but, more importantly, on people. Through the Lagos Cleaner Energy Schools Innovation Challenge, we are investing in the next generation of innovators by nurturing creativity, inspiring critical thinking and empowering students to develop practical solutions that will shape the future of energy in Lagos State and beyond,” Ogunleye said.
He added that the state’s vision is to build an innovation ecosystem where students recognise that their ideas have value and that government is committed to supporting innovation from the classroom to real-world impact.
The competition is open to eligible Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2) students in Education Districts I, II and III.
Participating schools are required to constitute teams made up of five students, a supervising teacher and a mentor. The teams will develop practical clean energy solutions within designated technical tracks and compete at district-level contests, with successful entries progressing to the state championship.
Ogunleye said the initiative underscores the Ministry’s determination to identify and nurture young talents capable of providing innovative solutions to Nigeria’s energy challenges while promoting critical thinking, creativity and collaboration among secondary school students.
According to him, the programme is also aligned with the Lagos State Government’s THEMES+ Agenda by strengthening STEM education, advancing youth development, promoting clean energy innovation and reinforcing Lagos’ position as Nigeria’s leading hub for technological advancement.
The Ministry encouraged eligible secondary schools to register for the competition by constituting their teams and appointing supervising teachers and mentors through the official application portal.
It advised interested schools to visit the Lagos State Government’s website, www.lagosstate.gov.ng, for details on eligibility requirements, competition guidelines and the registration process.
