Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu from Nigeria received the title of 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year for his contributions to clean energy through his organization, LightEd. His innovations aid over 10,000 refugees in Africa and promote sustainability. The awards also recognized regional winners and highlighted outstanding young individuals fostering peace. The Commonwealth Youth Awards empower young leaders to create impactful change.
Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu, a young innovator from Nigeria, has been awarded the prestigious title of 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year at the Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work. This significant event took place in London on March 12, 2025, attended by numerous stakeholders, including government officials and youth leaders, who celebrated the achievements of young individuals across the Commonwealth.
As the founder and CEO of LightEd, Stanley has been recognized for his innovative approach to turning waste into solar energy solutions, benefiting over 10,000 refugees in Africa. Inspired by his experiences with energy poverty during childhood, he founded LightEd amid the COVID-19 pandemic and has successfully trained 6,000 students while recycling more than 20,000 kilograms of waste.
Born in Anambra State, Stanley received his award from the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, at Marlborough House. Acknowledging Stanley’s impactful work, Secretary-General Scotland expressed gratitude for his innovative solutions that address various challenges and contribute to a sustainable energy transition. She praised him as a visionary and a true revolutionary in the field.
In addition to the main award, Stanley also secured the regional award for Africa, earning a total prize of £5,000. He expressed his gratitude, stating that it is an honor to be recognized among other young change-makers striving for transformative change globally.
The Commonwealth Youth Awards empower young innovators aged 15 to 29 by promoting local initiatives with the potential for global impact, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals through education and sustainability. Four other regional winners were also recognized, each receiving £3,000: Murad Ansary from Bangladesh, Nicholas Kee from Jamaica, Zubair Junjunia from the UK, and Bethalyn Kelly from Solomon Islands.
Additionally, the Khalili Foundation presented PEACE Awards to five outstanding young individuals for their contributions towards fostering a peaceful world. Each recipient received £2,000: Abongdoh Maluyane Titus from Cameroon, Daphine Namagembe from Uganda, Emmanuel Cosmas Msoka from Tanzania, Fakhar Jabran from Pakistan, and Hafsah Muheed from Sri Lanka. Chairman Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili lauded these individuals for their youth-led initiatives promoting understanding and dialogue.
The Commonwealth Foundation supported the awards with £30,000 in funding and acknowledged Stanley’s work as a symbol of youth leadership’s transformative power. Following a competitive process from over 800 submissions, the top 20 finalists, who also received recognition and financial support, were celebrated at this significant event, which is part of a larger initiative promoting youth leadership across the Commonwealth.
The achievement of Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu as the 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year underscores the potential of youth innovations in addressing global issues. His work not only provides clean energy but also embodies the spirit of sustainability and climate resilience. The awards highlight the invaluable contributions of young leaders in fostering development and peaceful communities across the Commonwealth, reinforcing their vital role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The efforts of all award recipients further signify the importance of youth-led initiatives in shaping a better future.
Original Source: thecommonwealth.org
