By Abbas Nazil
In a move to address climate change through innovative waste management solutions, the Provident Green Club (PGC) has pledged a ₦50 million grant to support ten climate-focused startups in Nigeria.
This announcement was made during the club’s first-ever “Generation Green X” conference, themed The Future is Now Conference 2025, held on Friday, July 19, 2025, in Lagos State.
The president of the club, Mr. Eke Njoku, revealed that each selected startup will receive ₦5 million, alongside a one-year mentorship and business acceleration programme facilitated by the club’s team of environmental and business experts.
According to Mr. Njoku, the initiative is part of the club’s broader vision of promoting environmental sustainability and empowering young innovators to combat climate change through circular economy-driven solutions.
He emphasized that the programme is focused on students across all tertiary institutions in southwestern Nigeria, regardless of whether they attend a polytechnic, university, nursing school, or teacher training college.
Mr. Njoku described the Generation Green X initiative as a way to search for “the lost ones,” referring to untapped talents in the climate innovation space, adding that the club has been operational since 2022 and was formally inaugurated in 2023.
Following a rigorous pitch competition judged by industry experts, ten finalists will be selected and paired with dedicated mentors who will offer tailored guidance throughout the one-year incubation period.
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At the end of the programme, advocacy grants will be disbursed to enable the startups to fully establish and scale their climate-based businesses.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Titilope Oshodi, Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Lagos State Governor, encouraged startups to adopt robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks.
She pointed to the $30 billion Green Climate Fund as a major opportunity that requires measurable ESG impact from applicants to qualify for international funding.
Mrs. Oshodi reiterated the importance of transparency and accountability in reporting project outcomes to attract both local and global support.
The club’s Board of Trustees Secretary, Mr. Dare Ogunbona, also addressed journalists, emphasizing the urgency of climate innovation in Nigeria’s growing waste management crisis.
He noted that since waste generation is a daily reality, the circular economy offers scalable solutions that can create lasting environmental and economic impact.
Mr. Ogunbona affirmed that the club aims to provide a supportive ecosystem where green startups can thrive and unlock the untapped potential in Nigeria’s sustainability sector.
In a closing remark, Provident Green Club urged young Nigerians to stay environmentally conscious, refrain from littering, and remain open-minded about learning sustainable practices such as the SDGs and ESG frameworks.
They further encouraged the youth to identify where they can actively contribute within the circular waste economy to build a greener and more resilient nation.
