Nigerian innovator Stanley Anigbogu named 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year

Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu, a Nigerian tech innovator and the founder of LightEd, has been named the 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year. The prestigious award was conferred on him during the annual Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work, held at Marlborough House in London on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Anigbogu’s groundbreaking work in transforming waste into solar innovations to provide clean energy to over 10,000 refugees across Africa earned him this accolade, highlighting his significant contributions to sustainable development and climate resilience.

The Commonwealth Youth Awards, an initiative of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, celebrate young individuals aged 15–29 who demonstrate exceptional leadership and innovation in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year’s ceremony, attended by government ministers, senior officials, youth leaders, and stakeholders from across the Commonwealth, showcased the transformative power of youth-led initiatives. Anigbogu emerged as the overall winner from a competitive pool of over 800 applicants, narrowed down to 20 finalists and five regional winners by a pan-Commonwealth panel of judges.

Anigbogu

Anigbogu’s journey with LightEd began during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by his personal experiences with energy poverty in Nigeria. As the founder and CEO, he has spearheaded a mission to address both environmental degradation and energy access by repurposing electronic and plastic waste into sustainable, solar-powered energy solutions. His efforts have not only provided clean energy to more than 10,000 refugees but also resulted in the training of 6,000 students and the recycling of over 20,000 kilograms of waste. This dual focus on sustainability and education has positioned LightEd as a beacon of hope for underserved communities, particularly in refugee camps across Africa.

In a statement by the award organisers, Anigbogu’s work was praised for its roots in his childhood struggles and his unwavering determination to foster change. 

“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 read.

Originally from Anambra State in southeast Nigeria, Anigbogu’s innovations have resonated far beyond his home country, earning him international recognition.

During the awards ceremony, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland presented Anigbogu with the top honour, lauding his creativity and impact. 

“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,” Scotland said. 

Photo supplied by The Commonwealth. Guests attend The Commonwealth Youth Awards 2025 held at Marlborough House in London on 12 March 2025.

She further emphasised his role in training young people and equipping them with skills for employment in the clean energy sector, calling him “a true revolutionary, a visionary.” 

Scotland, a staunch advocate for sustainable energy transitions, expressed her pride in awarding him the title, which came with a total cash prize of £5,000, including the regional award for Africa.

Anigbogu wins a double 

Anigbogu’s double victory, securing both the overall title and the top regional award for Africa, underscores the scale of his impact. Accepting the award, he expressed gratitude and optimism for the future.

“It is an incredible honour to receive this recognition alongside an inspiring group of 20 young changemakers, 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. 

Anigbogu also shared his commitment to developing more sustainable solutions to address the continent’s pressing challenges.

The Commonwealth Youth Awards aim to empower young changemakers by scaling their local innovations for global impact, focusing on key areas such as education, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and inclusivity. Each of the 20 finalists received a trophy, a certificate, and £1,000 to support their work, while the five regional winners, including Anigbogu, were awarded £3,000 each. The ceremony followed Commonwealth Day celebrations and marked a significant moment during the two-week Commonwealth Youth Leadership Summit in London.

Anigbogu’s recognition has sparked widespread praise. The Commonwealth Foundation’s Deputy Director General, Shem Ochola, congratulated him, stating, “His innovation, brilliance, and passion stand as a testament to the transformative power of youth leadership. Today, we celebrate not just an achievement but a legacy in the making.” As the world faces escalating climate and energy challenges, Anigbogu’s work with LightEd serves as a model of how youth-led innovation can drive meaningful change, aligning with the SDGs and inspiring a new generation of leaders across the Commonwealth and beyond.