The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, announced that the community category of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge closed without receiving any significant entries from participating groups across the country.
The category, which ended on July 15, 2026, was created to encourage communities to convert degraded areas, including dumpsites, abandoned spaces and neglected lands, into greener environments such as parks, gardens and sustainable public spaces.
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In a statement, Tinubu expressed disappointment over the lack of participation but encouraged Nigerians and government institutions to continue supporting environmental renewal efforts.
“Unfortunately, no significant entry was received,” she said.
The First Lady, however, praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the remodelling of the Abuja City Gate, describing the project as an example of the kind of transformation the initiative hoped to inspire.
“I commend the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, for remodelling the Abuja City Gate, which has become a notable landmark and a clear example of the kind of environmental transformation the Community Category was designed to promote,” Tinubu stated.
She urged state governments to adopt similar projects by improving waste management systems, creating cleaner public spaces and ensuring drainage channels remain free from plastic waste and other materials that contribute to flooding.
“I encourage other States to emulate this example by investing in cleaner, greener communities, ensuring proper waste disposal, and keeping drainage channels free of plastic waste and other obstructions to help prevent flooding,” she added.
Although the community category has closed, the Household and State categories of the Green Nigeria Challenge remain open until December 20, 2026.
The First Lady encouraged eligible households and state governments to participate through submissions made to the offices of first ladies in their respective states.
The Green Nigeria Challenge was launched under the Renewed Hope Initiative as part of a nationwide environmental campaign focused on tree planting, ecosystem restoration and climate-friendly practices.
The initiative features three categories. The Household Category targets households in 10 northern states and offers a ₦20 million prize for outstanding tree-planting efforts.
The State Category is open to states across the country, except Enugu State, which has already been recognised as the RHI’s “Model Green State”. The category carries a ₦100 million prize for large-scale environmental projects.
The community category, which offered a ₦50 million cash prize, was open to local governments, community groups, schools, youth organisations and non-governmental organisations across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
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The closure without entries highlights the challenge of turning environmental awareness campaigns into active community participation, even as government authorities continue to promote greener and more sustainable public spaces.
AbdulBasit Saba is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
