Enugu State has emerged as Nigeria’s cleanest state, clinching the N100 million grand prize at the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge.
The award was presented by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the quarterly meeting with wives of state governors and RHI coordinators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The RHI Green Nigeria Challenge is a nationwide competition designed to promote environmental cleanliness and tree planting among households, communities, and states.
With the motto “Go Green Today for a Greener Tomorrow,” the initiative rewards the best-performing household with N20 million, the best community with N50 million, and the cleanest state with N100 million.
At the event, Senator Tinubu presented a cheque and a plaque to Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, wife of the Enugu State governor, who received the honour on behalf of the state.
The First Lady praised Enugu for its commitment to environmental sanitation, saying the state had earned the recognition not just through tree planting but through consistent cleanliness.
“They earned it. It is not only in planting trees, but in environmental cleanliness. If you go to Enugu, Enugu is clean,” Senator Tinubu said, noting the state government’s swift response to waste management issues.
She also shared her personal passion for sanitation, recalling her days as First Lady of Lagos State when she actively participated in clearing clogged drains.
She added that true leadership required leading by example, saying that people are more inspired when they see their leaders take action.
Mrs. Mbah expressed gratitude to the First Lady for the recognition and dedicated the award to her husband, Governor Peter Mbah, as well as commissioners, local government chairmen, and agencies like ESWAMA for their efforts in keeping Enugu clean.
She promised that the state would continue working hard to remain a model for environmental cleanliness in Nigeria.
The RHI Green Nigeria Challenge will continue across the country, with entries open until 2026, encouraging Nigerians to take part in building a cleaner and greener nation.
