Nigerian tech innovator Stanley Anigbogu has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year at the annual Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work, held in London on Wednesday.

Mr Anigbogu, founder and CEO of LightEd, was honoured for his groundbreaking work in transforming waste into solar innovations that provide clean energy to over 10,000 refugees across Africa.

He was selected from a pool of 20 finalists recognised for their contributions towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and driving positive change within their countries and beyond.

In a statement on Wednesday, the award organisers highlighted how Anigbogu’s work is rooted in his personal experiences with energy poverty and his determination to create sustainable solutions:

“His work draws from his childhood experiences with energy poverty. Determined to create change and promote sustainability as well as climate resilience, he founded LightEd in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a small team of like-minded young people, he has trained 6,000 students and recycled over 20,000 kilograms of waste,” the statement said.

At the awards ceremony in Marlborough House, Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General, praised Anigbogu for his innovative contributions to clean energy and sustainability.

“Not only are you bringing hope and light to vulnerable communities and refugees who face many hardships and disadvantages, but you are also ridding communities of harmful waste and pollution, leaving environments safer and cleaner for other young people. This is a testament to the creativity of the Commonwealth’s youth,” she said.

“Stanley is training other young people and providing skills for employment in a field that will contribute to the energy transition we need to mitigate against climate change. You are a true revolutionary — a visionary — and I am pleased to award you the title of Commonwealth Young Person of the Year.”

In addition to the overall award, Anigbogu also won the regional award for Africa. Expressing his gratitude, he emphasised his commitment to creating sustainable solutions for Africa’s most pressing challenges.

“It is an incredible honour to receive this recognition alongside an inspiring group of 20 young change makers, all dedicated to launching innovative solutions that drive transformative change for millions of young people around the world. I cannot wait to continue this journey with the support of the Commonwealth and its remarkable network of partners,” he said.



https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/nigerian-innovator-stanley-anigbogu-named-2025-commonwealth-young-person-of-the-year/