Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, officially started the RHI Green Nigeria Challenge on Wednesday. This is a national competition that encourages families, youth, communities, and states to plant trees and keep their environment clean.
She launched the program during a regular meeting with state coordinators of the RHI and the wives of governors.
The campaign, with the slogan “Go Green Today for a Greener Tomorrow,” offers a top prize of ₦20 million to the best-performing household. There are also big prizes for the best communities and states.
At the launch, the First Lady gave a ₦100 million cheque to Enugu State, calling it the “Model Green State.” She said they deserved it not just for planting trees but also for keeping the environment clean. She shared how Enugu’s First Lady acts quickly to remove any litter, which she praised as a great example.
The challenge has three parts: The Household Category focuses on 11 northern states facing desertification. Families need to plant at least one tree to join.
The Community Category invites youth groups, schools, NGOs, and local councils across Nigeria to turn dirty or abandoned spaces into green areas.
The State Category will compare states (except Enugu) based on how well they grow trees along roads and streets.
The First Lady said her passion for cleanliness started early. She studied biology and used to clean drains when her husband was Lagos State Governor. She believes leaders should lead by example and show others how to care for the environment.
She also talked about her visit to Brazil for the G20 Summit, where plastic waste and ocean pollution were major topics. Many countries are now working to clean their seas and rivers.
She said Nigeria is also working on this, especially in Lagos, and wants young people to join in by starting environmental clubs in schools.
Mrs Tinubu said the program is working closely with the Ministry of Environment. She mentioned past meetings and a visit to Ghana to learn more. She encouraged schools, communities, and local governments to start their own green projects.
She also said she plans to reward the gardeners at the Presidential Villa for their hard work in keeping the gardens beautiful, even saying the flowers in her office come from their work.
Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, the RHI coordinator for Enugu and wife of the state governor, received the award. She thanked the First Lady for the recognition and praised her husband’s efforts in making Enugu clean and green.
She promised that Enugu would keep working hard to set a good example for other states.
Kwara State’s First Lady, Olufolake AbdulRazaq, who leads the Governors Spouses Forum, spoke about getting everyone involved—from schools to religious leaders. She said awareness is spread through radio, TV, and other platforms to keep people informed and involved.
The RHI Green Nigeria Challenge aims to inspire Nigerians to care more for the environment. The deadline for entries is in 2026, and anyone interested can visit [www.rhinitiative.org](http://www.rhinitiative.org) to learn more and take part.
