…As CADEF, JLA celebrate GreenLabs graduates
From Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos
The Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF), in partnership with Jacob’s Ladder Africa (JLA), has spotlighted the next generation of Nigeria’s green innovators as it celebrated graduates of the inaugural GreenLabs Renewable Energy Innovation Challenge.
According to a release, Greenlabs Renewable Energy Innovation Challenge is a 10-month incubation programme nurturing youth-led solutions in renewable energy and sustainable development.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, Executive Director of CADEF, commended the participants for turning bold ideas into real-world innovations capable of transforming communities and advancing Africa’s clean-energy transition.
She said, “What began as a simple conversation in South Africa has become a homegrown movement in Nigeria.
“These young innovators embody my vision of a nation that produces, not just consumes — a nation that creates solutions instead of importing them, ”Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor stated.
She challenged the graduates to “go beyond the narrative and become the narrative,” urging them to lead sustainable innovations that strengthen the country’s energy independence.
Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor also unveiled plans for Cohort 2 of the GreenLabs Innovation Challenge, themed “Food Systems, Green Energy, Green Economy, and Food Security,” set to open applications soon.
Representatives from the Lagos State Government, including Engr. Kanike Akmed Abayomi of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, and Mrs. Sorun Sayo Olohejeveri of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, praised the initiative for aligning with the state’s Smart City and youth empowerment goals, reaffirming government support for clean-energy innovations.
Sellah Bogonko, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of JLA, described the GreenLabs movement as part of a broader continental mission to equip African youth with the tools to drive climate and energy solutions.
“Africa’s greatest resource is its people — especially its young innovators,” Bogonko said. “This is not just a graduation; it’s the rise of a generation designing the continent’s clean-energy future.”
Also speaking, Mr. Olufunsho Peters, CEO of Infinion Technologies Limited, urged the graduates to embrace lifelong innovation and adaptability. “Your graduation is not an end, but a beginning,” he noted. “Every business must evolve — keep innovating because the market evolves faster than we imagine.”
The event concluded with appreciation for mentors, investors, and institutional partners whose collaboration has helped position GreenLabs as a leading platform for youth-led climate innovation, renewable energy training, and green entrepreneurship in Nigeria and beyond.
