Henry Lamba, founder of Schrödinger Technologies, has emerged overall winner of the 2024 Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP).
Henry Lamba won the award and was awarded $10,000 for producing a machine that helps purify water in Kaduna communities.
For the second cohort of the programme, 24 innovators were selected across the country.
The national forum and award ceremony for the global environment facility (GEF) – United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) — GCIP was held on April 25, 2024 in Ikeja, Lagos.
GCIP is a programme designed to showcase the potential of cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship and respond to the increasing global demand for environmental sustainability and climate action.
The programme is coordinated by UNIDO and funded by GEF in partnership with the federal ministry of science, technology and innovation, Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB).
Victor Boyle-Komolafe of GIVO Africa came second with a cash prize of $7,500, while Enohi Ukpebor of E-Sam Energy Solutions Ltd secured the third position with a cash prize of $5,000.
Sidikat Folami of FabriThread Cycle Limited won the award for the best female-led startup, while Ukpebor won another award for the best climate mitigation startup.
Speaking during the ceremony, Uche Nnaji, minister of science, technology, and innovation, said the ministry is conducting a technology needs assessment for climate change mitigation and adaptation in key sectors of the economy.
On his part, Reuben Bamidele, national programme officer of the UNIDO regional office in Nigeria, said:
“The cleantech programme seeks to build robust innovation ecosystems that can identify and systematically support high-impact cleantech technology innovations as well as attract large-scale investments.
With a population of over 200 million people, Nigeria is in dire need of innovations that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.”
Akinwande Akinsulire, startup support lead at Co-creation Hub, said the GCIP was launched two years ago to create a community of innovators and tech enthusiasts to address societal problems.
“Since the project’s inception, we’ve worked closely with UNIDO and other project executing entities to support 49 innovators – 25 in the first cohort and 24 in this second cohort.
Last year, Nigeria’s top three national winners represented our country at the global competition. Of those winners, Rita’s Ecobarter clinched the global award for the best female climate solution in Vienna.”
