Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has been honoured with a prestigious Green Leadership Award for his administration’s efforts to advance renewable energy, climate action, environmental protection and sustainable economic development across the state.
The recognition was presented during the 1st International and 3rd National Women Green Summit and Exhibition 2026 (WIGSE-26), held in Lagos and organised by the Women in Renewable Energy Association (WIRE-A).
The award, according to the organisers, was presented in recognition of the Osun State Government’s deliberate efforts to develop policies and programmes that promote clean energy, environmental sustainability and the growth of a green economy.
Adeleke was represented at the event by the Director-General and Special Envoy on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Professor Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe, who received the award on behalf of the Governor.
Obuaku-Igwe also delivered a goodwill message from the Governor, highlighting the state’s commitment to using climate action and renewable energy as tools for improving the quality of life of its people and creating new economic opportunities.
The organisers specifically acknowledged a number of policies introduced by the Adeleke administration to strengthen Osun’s response to climate change and promote sustainable development.
Among them are the Osun State Climate Action Plan, the Renewable Energy Policy, the Circular Economy Action Plan and the Climate-Smart Investment Portfolio.
These policy frameworks are designed to provide a structured approach to reducing environmental challenges while encouraging investments in clean energy, sustainable businesses, resource efficiency and climate-resilient development.
The award committee also recognised several practical initiatives being implemented by the state government in areas including solar energy, recycling, waste management, ecosystem restoration and sustainable transportation.
One of the initiatives highlighted was the operationalisation of a recycling hub aimed at improving waste management and promoting the conversion of waste into useful economic resources.
The IMOLE solar lantern programme was also cited among the administration’s renewable energy interventions. The initiative is designed to improve access to clean and dependable lighting, particularly for students who may face challenges with access to regular electricity.
In addition, the state’s electric-motorbike initiatives were highlighted as part of efforts to promote cleaner and more sustainable transportation while reducing dependence on conventional fossil-fuel-powered mobility.
Speaking at the event, Obuaku-Igwe said Osun’s climate strategy goes beyond protecting the environment, stressing that the government is also interested in ensuring that climate policies produce tangible economic and social benefits for residents.
She explained that climate action should be connected to job creation, improved livelihoods, greater access to energy, technological innovation and the development of an economy capable of withstanding environmental and economic challenges.
The Governor’s representative also emphasised the importance of ensuring that women and young people play a central role in Africa’s transition towards a green economy.
According to her, Africa’s renewable energy and sustainability agenda will require greater access to finance, modern technologies, relevant technical skills, markets and supportive government policies.
She noted that providing these opportunities would enable more women-owned and women-led businesses to participate meaningfully in the growing green economy.
The representative welcomed the focus of the WIGSE-26 summit on policy development, investment and capital mobilisation for women participating in green businesses.
She said the summit’s objectives were closely aligned with Osun State’s efforts to attract sustainable investments and expand its renewable energy and circular economy programmes.
The state government, she added, is prepared to deepen collaboration with investors, development organisations, private-sector companies, researchers and other stakeholders interested in advancing climate-smart development.
Such partnerships, she explained, would be essential to taking successful renewable energy and climate initiatives from small-scale projects to larger programmes capable of reaching more communities.
Obuaku-Igwe further stated that collaboration could help create additional opportunities for women and young people while strengthening the state’s capacity to implement innovative solutions to environmental and energy challenges.
She also praised the Women in Renewable Energy Association for creating a platform that brings together women entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges within the emerging green economy.
According to her, women should not be viewed simply as recipients of climate and renewable energy interventions but as important contributors to Africa’s clean-energy transformation.
She stressed that empowering women to acquire the necessary skills, financing, technology and market access would increase their ability to develop businesses and solutions capable of contributing to the continent’s sustainable development.
The recognition of Governor Adeleke therefore places Osun State’s renewable energy and climate policies in the spotlight, particularly its attempt to connect environmental protection with economic empowerment and energy access.
Through its renewable energy programmes, recycling initiatives, sustainable transportation projects and climate-focused policies, the state is seeking to establish a development model in which environmental responsibility goes hand in hand with job creation, innovation and improved living conditions.
The Green Leadership Award further highlights the growing importance of subnational governments in Nigeria’s transition towards cleaner energy and more sustainable economic systems.
For Osun, the administration’s challenge going forward will be to sustain the momentum, attract more investment and expand existing initiatives so that the benefits of renewable energy, climate action and the green economy can reach more residents across the state.
The award ultimately represents recognition of Osun’s ongoing efforts to make renewable energy, environmental sustainability and inclusive economic development key components of its long-term development agenda.
No Comment! Be the first one.