By Rasheeda Hamidu
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced that the Community Category of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge closed without receiving any significant entries, highlighting low public participation in efforts to restore degraded environments.
On Tuesday, Tinubu disclosed this in a statement, noting that the category officially closed on July 15, 2026, according to the statement.
She explained that the category was created to encourage communities to transform degraded spaces, including dumpsites, landfills and abandoned areas, into green parks, gardens and other eco-friendly environments.
“Unfortunately, no significant entry was received,” Tinubu said.
The First Lady commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for remodelling the Abuja City Gate, describing it as an example of the type of environmental transformation the competition sought to promote.
“I commend the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory… for remodelling the Abuja City Gate, which has become a notable landmark and a clear example of the kind of environmental transformation the Community Category was designed to promote,” she said.
Tinubu urged state governments to replicate similar initiatives by investing in cleaner and greener communities, improving waste disposal systems and keeping drainage channels free of plastic waste and other obstructions to reduce flooding.
She added that the Household and State categories of the Green Nigeria Challenge remain open until December 20, 2026, urging eligible participants to submit their entries through the Offices of the First Ladies in their respective states.
NatureNews notes that restoring degraded landscapes through tree planting, improved waste management and green infrastructure can reduce flooding, improve biodiversity and strengthen climate resilience.
NatureNews reports that sustained public participation remains essential to achieving the environmental restoration goals of the Renewed Hope Initiative Green Nigeria Challenge.
