Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu from Nigeria has been awarded the title of 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year for his innovative work in solar energy solutions through his organization, LightEd. The awards celebrate young change makers who contribute to development and sustainability across the Commonwealth, with Anigbogu also receiving the regional award for Africa. Additionally, other regional winners were recognized, and PEACE Awards were presented to individuals exemplifying efforts toward enhancing social harmony.
Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu, a young innovator from Nigeria, earned the prestigious title of 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year during the Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work, held on March 12, 2025, in London. The event was attended by government ministers, officials, youth leaders, and other stakeholders to honor the accomplishments of young individuals across the Commonwealth.
As the founder and CEO of LightEd, Stanley has made significant strides in transforming waste into solar energy solutions, benefiting over 10,000 refugees in Africa. Inspired by his own experiences with energy poverty, he launched LightEd amid the COVID-19 pandemic, training 6,000 students and recycling over 20,000 kilograms of waste.
Stanley, who hails from Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria, received the award from the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC. During the ceremony at Marlborough House, Secretary-General Scotland commended his innovative approach to tackling multiple challenges: “Not only are you bringing hope and light to vulnerable communities and refugees who face many hardships and disadvantages, but you are also ridding communities of harmful waste and pollution.”
In a notable achievement, Stanley Anigbogu also secured the top regional award for Africa, bringing his total winnings to £5,000. Expressing his gratitude, he stated, “It is an incredible honour to receive this recognition alongside an inspiring group of 20 young change makers, all dedicated to launching innovative solutions that drive transformative change for millions of young people around the world.”
Apart from Stanley, four other regional winners were recognized, each receiving £3,000: Murad Ansary from Bangladesh (Asia), Nicholas Kee from Jamaica (Caribbean), Zubair Junjunia from the United Kingdom (Europe and Canada), and Bethalyn Kelly from the Solomon Islands (Pacific).
The awards also featured PEACE Awards, presented by the Khalili Foundation to five young individuals for their contributions to fostering peace and equity. Each recipient, including Abongdoh Maluyane Titus from Cameroon and Daphine Namagembe from Uganda, received £2,000 in recognition of their efforts. Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili praised the awardees for their youth-led initiatives as instrumental in promoting harmony across the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Foundation provided £30,000 in support of the awards, emphasizing the significance of youth and community-driven development. Shem Ochola, Deputy Director General at the Commonwealth Foundation, highlighted Stanley’s achievements as a reflection of the enormous potential in youth leadership.
The Commonwealth Youth Awards, part of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, celebrate and promote youth development work within member countries. The awards ceremony followed the Commonwealth Day celebrations and formed an essential component of a two-week Commonwealth Youth Leadership Summit held in London.
In conclusion, Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu’s recognition as the 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year underscores the remarkable impact of youth-led initiatives on sustainability and community empowerment. His accomplishment, along with other regional winners, demonstrates the Commonwealth’s commitment to celebrating innovative solutions that advance global development goals. Furthermore, initiatives like the Commonwealth Youth Awards continue to nurture emerging leaders, fostering collaboration and positive change across nations.
Original Source: thecommonwealth.org
