Youth Climate Entrepreneurship Fellowship Sparks 20 Green Startups in Northern Nigeria
FEATURE
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
In a groundbreaking step toward climate resilience and youth empowerment in Nigeria, The Life We Deserve Foundation has concluded the first edition of its Youth Climate Entrepreneurship Fellowship (Y-CEF), a six-month virtual program designed to equip young Nigerians with the skills and tools to launch climate-smart businesses.
The initiative successfully trained 100 fellows from ten states in Northern Nigeria, culminating in the official registration of 20 green startups with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
The Y-CEF program was born out of a dual need: the urgent threat of climate change and the persistent challenge of youth unemployment. With over 2,500 applications received, the Foundation selected 100 promising young Nigerians drawn from states including Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Plateau, Jigawa, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory to participate in three intensive six-week cohorts held between November 2024 and April 2025.
Delivered entirely online, the fellowship immersed participants in a practical, hands-on curriculum covering climate change adaptation, sustainable business model development, financial planning, branding, and customer acquisition.
Each fellow was paired with expert mentors and participated in learning activities that deepened their understanding of green entrepreneurship. The program made inclusivity a priority, with 33 percent of the participants being women and one fellow living with a hearing disability.
The initiative reached beyond the virtual classroom. Through strategic outreach, events, and social media engagement, Y-CEF indirectly impacted over 2,000 individuals across Northern Nigeria, building broader awareness of climate entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability.
A team of ten expert facilitators and six renowned keynote speakers guided the fellows through their journeys, offering real-world insights into the opportunities and challenges of building green businesses.
As the fellowship drew to a close, The Life We Deserve Foundation hosted a grand graduation ceremony on May 12, 2025, in Zaria, Kaduna State. The event brought together fellows, facilitators, development partners, and key stakeholders to celebrate the fellows’ achievements.
The highlight of the ceremony was the keynote address delivered by Esi Kagale Agyeman Gillo, CEO of DIFFvelopment, who urged the young entrepreneurs to lead with purpose and resilience as they tackle some of the region’s most pressing environmental issues.
In his remarks at the event, Abubakar Sani Abdullahi, Executive Director of The Life We Deserve Foundation, described Y-CEF as more than a program, calling it a movement designed to turn climate challenges into opportunities for economic transformation.
He emphasized that the fellows had not only developed ideas but were already creating impact in their communities through businesses that address environmental degradation, improve livelihoods, and promote sustainable growth.
The program’s impact has been significant. All 100 fellows successfully developed climate-related business concepts, ranging from clean energy and organic farming to waste recycling and sustainable packaging. Seventy percent of participants reported substantial improvement in the quality and viability of their business ideas.
Eighty-five percent said they felt more confident launching their own enterprises, while an impressive 93 percent demonstrated a stronger grasp of climate entrepreneurship principles by the end of the fellowship.
Now, 20 youth-led green businesses are officially registered and set to operate in various communities across Northern Nigeria, offering innovative solutions to climate-related problems while creating jobs and promoting resilience.
These startups represent a new generation of youth who are not only aware of the climate crisis but are actively working to solve it.
Looking ahead, The Life We Deserve Foundation has announced plans to expand the fellowship to reach more states, offer post-graduation seed funding, and deepen mentorship and alumni support structures.
The goal, according to the Foundation, is to build a strong pipeline of climate-conscious entrepreneurs capable of transforming Nigeria’s environmental and economic future.
As the fellows step out of the program and into the world of entrepreneurship, they carry with them more than business plans they carry a sense of mission.
In a region often overlooked in the global climate conversation, these young Nigerians are proving that with the right support, they can lead the way toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
