First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Launches RHI Green Nigeria Challenge, Rewards Enugu with N100m as Model Green State
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge, a nationwide environmental campaign designed to promote tree planting and sustainable cleanliness across households, communities, and states.
Unveiling the initiative at the quarterly meeting with wives of state governors and RHI coordinators in Abuja, Mrs. Tinubu presented a ₦100 million award to Enugu State, which was named the Model Green State for its commitment to environmental cleanliness and tree planting.
“They earned it. It’s not only in planting trees, but in environmental cleanliness. If you go to Enugu, Enugu is clean,” the First Lady said, commending the swift response of the state government to environmental issues.
Challenge Categories and Prizes
The Green Nigeria Challenge, with the motto “Go Green Today for a Greener Tomorrow,” features three competitive categories:
- Households (₦20 million prize): Targeted at 11 northern states vulnerable to desertification — Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara. Each household is required to plant at least one tree.
- Communities (₦50 million prize): Open to youth groups, schools, NGOs, and local governments nationwide to reclaim degraded or abandoned spaces and transform them into eco-friendly gardens or parks.
- States (₦100 million prize): A state-wide competition (excluding Enugu) encouraging tree planting along major roads and inner streets.
Personal Commitment and Global Context
Sharing the inspiration behind the initiative, Mrs. Tinubu recalled her hands-on involvement in environmental activities during her husband’s tenure as governor of Lagos State.
“As a biologist, I’ve always loved to go clean. During the time my husband was governor of Lagos, I used to unclog drains myself. People have to see you do what you want them to do.”
She also drew attention to global efforts against plastic waste, referencing her participation at the G20 Summit in Brazil alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Every country is buying into cleaning their oceans and waterways because the fauna in the sea is being affected by waste. Nigeria must not be left behind,” she added.
Next Steps
The First Lady announced that the RHI is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Environment to establish Environmental Clubs in secondary schools and Environmental Societies in tertiary institutions to sustain the campaign.
Interested participants are encouraged to visit www.rhinitiative.org for guidelines and submission details ahead of the 2026 deadline.
The RHI Green Nigeria Challenge, Mrs. Tinubu said, is designed to inspire “a nationwide culture of responsibility for a cleaner and greener environment.”
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