From Lukman Olabiyi
Young Nigerian innovators have gained global recognition at the 2025 Slingshot Challenge, a competition hosted by the National Geographic Society and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. Three Nigerian projects stood out, showcasing the country’s growing role in climate innovation.
Reforest AI, created by 18-year-olds Lesley John Jumbo, Bright Attai, and Blessed Pepple from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, won Top Honours. Their project uses Artificial Intelligence, IoT, and embedded systems to monitor forests and curb illegal deforestation. The team will receive $10,000 and present at the National Geographic Explorers Festival in Washington, D.C., in June 2025.
“The creativity and passion we’ve seen from this year’s Slingshot Challenge participants is nothing short of inspiring,” said Deborah Grayson, Chief Education Officer at the National Geographic Society.
A team from Northern Nigeria—Faruk Salisu, Abdullahi Ibn-Ishaq, and Faisal Sa’id—earned the Distinguished Achievement Award for Fueling Trees Using Biogas. Their low-cost biogas digester, made from local materials, supports tree-planting by offering a sustainable alternative to firewood.
Naomi Inwe, a 17-year-old from Lagos, received the Significant Achievement Award for Trash to Treasure, a project promoting plastic waste reduction through upcycling workshops, clean-ups, and digital campaigns.
“These awardees give us great hope for the future of conservation,” said Lara Littlefield, Executive Director of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
The 2025 Slingshot Challenge attracted over 2,700 entries from 96 countries, submitted by youths aged 13–18. Nigeria’s achievements highlight its rising influence in global environmental efforts, from clean energy in the North to tech-driven conservation in the South.