Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu Receives 2025 Commonwealth Youth Award for Innovation

Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu of Nigeria received the 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year title for his innovative work in solar energy and waste management, impacting over 10,000 refugees. The awards recognized other regional winners and PEACE awardees, emphasizing the importance of youth leadership and sustainable development. The ceremony took place during a significant Commonwealth Youth Leadership Summit.

Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu from Nigeria has been awarded the title of 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year at the Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work, held in London on March 12, 2025. The event celebrated young achievers across the Commonwealth, attended by government officials and youth leaders. Stanley is the founder and CEO of LightEd, recognized for creating solar innovations from waste, supplying clean energy to over 10,000 refugees in Africa.

Stanley’s initiatives stem from his childhood experiences with energy poverty. He established LightEd during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, alongside a dedicated team. They have trained 6,000 students and recycled over 20,000 kilograms of waste to foster sustainability and climate resilience.

Hailing from Anambra State, Stanley received his award from the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC. Secretary-General Scotland commended Stanley for his innovative solutions addressing critical challenges while promoting cleaner environments. During her remarks, she emphasized his contributions to training youth, which supports the much-needed energy transition amid climate change.

In addition to the prestigious title, Stanley also garnered the regional award for Africa, totaling a prize of £5,000. He expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “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.”

The Commonwealth Youth Awards also recognized four other regional winners, each receiving £3,000: Murad Ansary (Bangladesh), Nicholas Kee (Jamaica), Zubair Junjunia (United Kingdom), and Bethalyn Kelly (Solomon Islands). The Khalili Foundation awarded PEACE Awards to five outstanding young individuals for their contributions to promoting peace: Abongdoh Maluyane Titus (Cameroon), Daphine Namagembe (Uganda), Emmanuel Cosmas Msoka (Tanzania), Fakhar Jabran (Pakistan), and Hafsah Muheed (Sri Lanka), each receiving £2,000.

The Commonwealth Foundation provided substantial support for the ceremony, demonstrating a commitment to youth leadership development across the Commonwealth. The event was a milestone in the two-week Commonwealth Youth Leadership Summit in London, gathering young leaders from diverse backgrounds to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusivity. Reports from over 800 submissions led to the selection of 20 finalists, who were each honored with trophies, certificates, and £1,000 to further their initiatives.

In summary, Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu’s recognition as the 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year underscores the impactful role of youth in addressing global challenges. His commitment to sustainability, innovation, and empowering other young individuals demonstrates the potential for transformative change within communities. The award ceremony not only celebrated Stanley’s achievement but also highlighted the crucial contributions of other regional winners and PEACE awardees in promoting progress and unity throughout the Commonwealth.

Original Source: thecommonwealth.org