Nigerian innovator Stanley Anigbogu has emerged as the 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year, winning the prestigious title at the annual Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work in London. Anigbogu, who is the founder and CEO of LightEd, has been recognized for his groundbreaking work in turning waste into solar-powered innovations that provide sustainable energy to over 10,000 refugees across Africa.
Anigbogu’s passion for energy solutions stems from his own childhood struggles with energy poverty. Determined to make a difference, he founded LightEd during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a vision to address energy scarcity while promoting sustainability and climate resilience. With the support of a dedicated team of young changemakers, Stanley has trained over 6,000 students and recycled more than 20,000 kilograms of waste, all while providing solar power solutions to underserved communities.
Hailing from Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria, Anigbogu’s achievements were celebrated at a vibrant ceremony at Marlborough House, where he received the prestigious award from the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC. In her speech, Scotland praised Anigbogu’s innovative approach to tackling multiple global challenges, saying, “Stanley is not only bringing hope and light to vulnerable refugees but is also helping to rid communities of harmful waste and pollution. His work is a testament to the creativity and drive of the Commonwealth’s youth.”
It was a double celebration for Anigbogu, who also received the top regional award for Africa, taking home a total of £5,000. Reflecting on the honor, Stanley said, “It’s an incredible privilege to be recognized alongside such inspiring changemakers. I’m excited to continue this journey with the support of the Commonwealth and its network of partners.”
The awards celebrate young people aged 15–29 who are driving transformative change through innovation in education, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and inclusivity. Anigbogu’s work exemplifies these values, as his solar energy solutions are not only providing power to thousands of people but are also contributing to the global energy transition needed to combat climate change.
In addition to Anigbogu, four other regional winners—Murad Ansary, Nicholas Kee, Zubair Junjunia, and Bethalyn Kelly—each received £3,000 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to development and sustainability.
The Khalili Foundation, in partnership with the Commonwealth, also honored five exceptional young individuals with the PEACE Awards for their efforts to promote peace and unity. The awardees—Abongdoh Titus, Daphine Namagembe, Emmanuel Msoka, Fakhar Jabran, and Hafsah Muheed—each received £2,000 for their remarkable contributions to fostering a more peaceful and equitable world.
With the Commonwealth Foundation’s support, £30,000 in funding was provided to help bring the awards to life. Shem Ochola, Deputy Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation, expressed admiration for the youth-led initiatives, stating, “Stanley’s innovation and passion highlight the transformative power of youth leadership and demonstrate the immense potential of young people to create lasting change.”
From over 800 submissions, 20 finalists were selected, each receiving a trophy, certificate, and £1,000 to further their work in sustainable development and social impact. Anigbogu’s achievement marks not just a personal victory but a milestone in the ongoing movement for youth leadership across the Commonwealth.
