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Prince William’s Earthshot Prize Unveils 15 Groundbreaking Environmental Solutions

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In the Running for 5 Catalytic £1 Million Prizes

Prince William’s Earthshot Prize has announced the 15 finalists for its 2024 edition, selected from nearly 2,500 nominations across 139 countries. These finalists represent global innovators addressing urgent climate challenges and are in the running for five £1 million prizes. This year’s cohort includes the first-ever finalists from France, Ghana, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Nepal. Speaking on the finalist selection, Prince William, Founder and President of The Earthshot Prize, said, “Today, we celebrate the incredible achievement, unwavering dedication, and urgent optimism that drive our fourth class of Earthshot innovators. The passion of these finalists is a testament to what can be achieved when we tap into the enormous creativity, ingenuity, and optimism of communities around the world. Representing every corner of the globe, these finalists are leading the way in solving some of the most urgent environmental challenges. Their groundbreaking work is inspiring hope and action as we work to create a sustainable future for generations to come.” The finalists, whose solutions align with the five key Earthshot goals—Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix Our Climate—presented notable projects. These include Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance, Ecuador, an alliance of 30 indigenous nations that collectively stand together to protect 86 million acres of critical Amazon rainforest – an area the size of Germany – and advocate for a regenerative bioeconomy; NatureMetrics, UK: a global intelligence start-up in environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling on a mission to make biodiversity monitoring accessible to all; Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative, Kazakhstan: an organization that has achieved what was thought impossible – the rapid recovery of a large animal from the brink of extinction all solutions aimed at protecting and restoring nature. The Clean Our Air category finalists are GAYO Ghana, a youth-led organization that uses its “zero waste model” to drive behavioural change in waste management practices across Africa that cut greenhouse gas emissions and particle pollution while bringing additional income to communities; d.light, Pan-Africa, a successful company on track to transform the lives of one billion people by providing affordable and clean solar home systems that provide electricity and replace polluting kerosene lamps and dirty stoves and MYCL, Indonesia, a company tackling two major problems of crop-waste burning and harmful leather production, both which pollute the air and damage quality of life. High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, Global, a groundbreaking alliance of 119 countries with the grandest goal of any Finalist to date – to protect 30% of the land and oceans by 2030, by identifying technical, financial and knowledge gaps and connecting governments with technical assistance and funding; MiAlgae, UK, a company offering a circular economy solution to the problem of sourcing marine Omega-3s from fish oil, which requires catching large quantities of wild fish simply to feed the farmed fish that we consume and Coast 4C, Philippines, a social enterprise that aims to build the world’s largest supply of regenerative seaweed, benefiting marginalized coastal fishing communities by transforming their harvest and providing a market to sell the seaweed at profits to lift them out of poverty are finalists in the Revive the Ocean category. Finalists in the Build A Waste Free World category are Natural Fiber Welding, USA, a company that creates biodegradable natural fibers and ingredients to replace plastics with wide applications in fashion, footwear, automotive and more; Ferment’Up, France: a company that upcycles skins and seeds from fruits and vegetables using dry fermentation to create highly nutritious ingredients from food waste, cutting carbon emissions and drastically reducing water use and Keep It Cool, Kenya, a company that is tackling problems with proper refrigeration and cold-chain logistics across Africa by offering solar-powered refrigeration solutions that cut post-harvest waste by 25% and by connecting smallholder farmers and fishers to a centralized online marketplace. Equatic, USA, using breakthrough technology, this early-stage company uses a process called seawater electrolysis to remove carbon dioxide from the ocean 99,000 times faster than nature alone; Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems, USA, a company that takes excess heat from heavy industrial processes, like creating cement and steel, and converts the heat waste into electricity and Build Up Nepal, Nepal, a social enterprise that has developed an earthquake-resilient brick with 75% lower carbon emissions compared to traditional clay-fired bricks are finalists for the Fix Our Climate category.The five winners will be selected by Prince William and fellow members of the prestigious Earthshot Prize Council, which includes HRH Prince William, Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Cate Blanchett, Sir David Attenborough, and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.The 2024 Earthshot Prize winners will be announced at the fourth Earthshot Prize Awards on Wednesday, 6 November, in Cape Town, South Africa. The event, part of Earthshot Week, will convene global leaders, investors, and NGOs to explore opportunities with the finalists and winners.In addition to the £1 million prizes, each finalist will receive dedicated mentorship, resources, and technical support through the Earthshot Prize Fellowship Programme. This includes access to the Prize’s network of businesses, investors, and climate experts, as well as Launchpad, Earthshot’s innovative finance platform, to help scale proven environmental solutions.

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3,000 Nigerians Join Young Professionals for Tinubu Nationwide Network to Build a Stronger Youth-Led Movement

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Lagos, Nigeria – Tuesday 11 Feb 2025 – In a rapidly changing world where the role of young professionals in shaping national policies and economic progress has never been more critical, more than 3,000 Nigerians have now joined Young Professionals for Tinubu (YP4T), a dynamic and fast-growing youth-driven movement dedicated to leadership, policy engagement, and economic empowerment. From Lagos to Kano, Oyo to Abuja, YP4T’s expanding membership reflects the increasing recognition among young Nigerians that national progress is best achieved through active participation rather than passive observation.Founded in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for economic transformation, YP4T has quickly established itself as a mobilizing force for young professionals who see themselves not just as beneficiaries of development but as key drivers of it. Across multiple states, its members are actively working to strengthen Nigeria’s economic, technological, and entrepreneurial landscape, ensuring that young people are not left behind in the country’s evolving growth story. With an economy valued at over $440 billion and a youth population that makes up more than 60% of Nigeria’s 200 million citizens, the impact of an organized and engaged professional youth network cannot be overstated.Through direct interventions in education, career development, and entrepreneurship, YP4T has already begun making a tangible impact. In the past six months, the movement has facilitated over N50 million in small business support, connected more than 1,200 young Nigerians to industry mentors across finance, technology, and governance, and provided professional development training to over 800 early-career professionals. Its education-focused initiatives have also led to the launch of the YP4T Scholarship & Skills Fund, which has supported university students and technical training beneficiaries in multiple states, ensuring that economic hardship does not derail potential.Speaking on the significance of this milestone, Alex Oware, Regional Director of YP4T noted that the energy and enthusiasm among Nigerian professionals is a clear indicator of a national shift toward youth-led development. He emphasized that beyond conversations, YP4T is focused on real impact. “We are building a generation that is ready to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to national growth. The rapid expansion of our network is proof that young Nigerians want to be involved in shaping the country’s future. The best way to honor the administration’s vision for national development is not just to support it but to become part of the execution—ensuring that policies translate into opportunities for people across the country.”With a global economy increasingly shaped by innovation, digital transformation, and skills-based growth, Nigeria’s ability to leverage its youth population as a competitive advantage is key to future success. Countries that have seen rapid economic expansion, such as South Korea, India, and Singapore, have all placed structured investments in their young workforce at the center of their policies. Nigeria, with an annual graduate output of over 600,000 students, has an opportunity to turn its youth into a global workforce powerhouse, and movements like YP4T are providing a structured platform to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity.Members across multiple industries have expressed how joining YP4T has helped them connect to opportunities they previously struggled to access. One of the beneficiaries of the YP4T professional development initiative, Raphael Utoku, described how the movement helped him transition from struggling to find his first job to securing a role in a multinational company. “I joined YP4T because I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. Beyond the leadership discussions and the networking, I gained practical mentorship that has completely transformed my career path. It’s the kind of community that young professionals in Nigeria have needed for a long time.”YP4T’s growth is a direct reflection of its members’ commitment to building a stronger, globally competitive Nigeria. As the network expands, its next phase will focus on providing additional funding support for small businesses, scaling mentorship programs to reach more sectors, and launching policy engagement forums that give young professionals a direct voice in national decision-making. The momentum behind the movement is a reminder that real change happens when young people take ownership of their future, and YP4T is ensuring that no young Nigerian is left behind in this era of national transformation.For more information on YP4T’s programs or to become a member, visit YP4T on Instagram.

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Lagos cancels work-from-home policy, workers to resume full on-site duty April 1

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has scrapped the work-from-home initiative introduced by his administration, directing all public servants to resume full on-site work from April 1, 2025.Sanwo-Olu had in February 2024 announced the policy which allowed civil servants in the state from levels one to 14 to work only three days.However, the Head of Service, Bode Agoro, in a statement on Tuesday, noted that scrapping of the policy followed the implementation of the new minimum wage and other welfare measures for state for state workers.

“Further to the implementation of the New Minimum Wage in the state public service and other commendable measures put in place by this administration to improve the welfare and well-being of public servants, Mr. Governor has approved the cancellation of the work-from-home initiative in the Lagos State Public Service,” the statement read.He urged all public servants to rededicate themselves to their duties and ensure improved service delivery across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies .“Accounting Officers are enjoined to note the contents of this circular and give it the service-wide publicity it deserves,” he added.

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Bill For Research Trust Fund Scales Second Reading At Lagos Assembly

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The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Princess Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, has committed a bill to establish the State’s research trust fund to a sub-committee of the House.Meranda also emphasised the need for tertiary institutions in the state to partake in effective research works for the benefit of the state.This was as the bill, sponsored by a member of the House, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, scaled second reading on the floor of the House.The proposed law is aimed at creating a ‘state research trust fund for the allocation, management and administration of the trust fund and for connected purposes’.Supporting the bill, lawmakers praised the sponsor and noted that it would help advance the state.Yishawu told his colleagues that the bill was important as it would help drive innovation, economic growth, and technological advancement in the state.According to him, Lagos, as Nigeria’s economic hub, cannot afford to lag in scientific and technological development.He argued that a well-structured research and development funding system would enhance governance, stimulate industrialisation, and position the state as a leader in innovation.He also stressed that the bill, when passed, would touch every facet of Lagos.Dissecting the bill, some of the lawmakers raised concerns over taxation but agreed that the bill was important.Hon. Noheem Adams stressed that funding would help to provide a veritable opportunity for researchers to come up with results that help societies.According to him, when Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, “it would have been difficult to visualize that a day would come when we will all have a handset in our pockets.”The ad-hoc committee is expected to fine-tune the bill ahead of further processes leading to its passage.Signed:Media Office Of The Rt. Hon. Speaker

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