Winners have emerged in the grand finale of the Naija SDGs Hackathon 4.0 at the Sustainable Finance Day 2024, held in Lagos recently.

According to a statement from the organisers on Thursday, the winners include Team CarbonEx (sustainable energy solutions); Team Lafiya, (water sustainability); and Team TRIPEF (affordable healthcare), who won N1m each to advance their groundbreaking ideas and drive meaningful impact.

The Naija SDGs Hackathon 4.0 celebrated the creativity and ingenuity of young Nigerian innovators aged 14–30, it is centred on developing transformative solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The event, themed ‘Green Finance, Resilient Returns: The Power of Investment in Sustainability’, was organised by the Financial Centre for Sustainability Lagos and the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre.

Inspired by the leadership of FMDQ Group PLC, the event was sponsored by the Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria and Nestlé Nigeria PLC, with additional support from the Embassy of Sweden, the United States Consulate, the Embassy of Denmark, the Netherlands Embassy, the Finland Embassy and hosted by 21st Century Technologies, Lagos.

The Chairman of FC4S Lagos, Mr Bola Onadele. Koko, represented by the Executive Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Etaderhi, highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainability goals and the pivotal role of finance as a catalyst for resilience and economic growth in Africa.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to Nigeria, Mr Peter Ryan, in a keynote address, provided insights into global trends, challenges, and opportunities in green finance.

He emphasised Ireland’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s sustainability journey through strategic partnerships and capacity-building initiatives.

In her comments, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Mrs Titilayo Oshodi, highlighted the critical role of local government initiatives in fostering climate resilience and promoting the circular economy as part of a sustainable future.

Sustainable Finance Day 2024 reaffirmed the vital role of FC4S Lagos and the NCIC in accelerating green finance and driving economic resilience and environmental stewardship in Nigeria and the sub-region.