By OLUSEGUN ARIBIKE

The Lagos State Government has opened registration for the maiden Lagos Cleaner Energy Schools Innovation Challenge (LCESIC) 2026, aimed at nurturing young innovators and promoting clean energy solutions among secondary school students.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources announced the commencement of registration in a statement issued on Thursday by its Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Adetola Idowu.

The innovation challenge targets students in Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2) across Education Districts I, II, and III.

Under the programme, participating schools are expected to register teams comprising five students, a supervising teacher, and a mentor, who will guide them in developing practical clean energy solutions within designated technical areas.

The teams will first compete at district levels, with the best performers advancing to the state championship.

The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Biodun Ogunleye, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the future of Lagos and Nigeria’s energy sector.

“The future of sustainable energy depends not only on infrastructure but, more importantly, on people,” Ogunleye said.

He explained that the challenge was designed to stimulate creativity, strengthen critical thinking, and empower students to develop innovative solutions to emerging energy needs.

“Our vision is to build an innovation ecosystem where students understand that their ideas matter,” the commissioner said.

Ogunleye added that the government remained committed to supporting innovation from the classroom to real-world applications.

He noted that the initiative would help identify and nurture young talents capable of addressing the country’s energy challenges.

He said the competition would also promote collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving among young Nigerians while advancing the state’s clean energy ambitions.

According to him, the programme aligns with the Lagos State Government’s THEMES+ Agenda by strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, promoting youth development, and encouraging clean energy innovation.

He noted that the initiative would further consolidate Lagos’ position as Nigeria’s leading centre for technological advancement.

The ministry urged eligible secondary schools to form their teams, appoint supervising teachers and mentors, and complete registration through the official application portal.

It advised Interested schools to visit the Lagos State Government website for information on eligibility requirements, competition guidelines, and registration procedures. (NAN)