Apply Now: Solar Power Nigeria Offers ₦390,000 Youth Grants
Applications are now open for the Solar Power Nigeria National Youth Competition 2026.
This competition offers young Nigerians an opportunity to receive ₦390,000 in project funding, expert mentorship and a place in the Solar Power Nigeria Fellowship.
The nationwide competition is organised by the Solar Power Nigeria Coalition, led by the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), with implementation by the Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiative (NGYouthSDGs).
The initiative seeks to encourage young Nigerians to develop practical ideas, community projects and advocacy campaigns that promote renewable energy adoption and improve electricity access across the country.
Through the competition, participants are expected to propose a three-month project addressing electricity challenges in a community or state of their choice.
Seven successful applicants will be selected as Solar Power Nigeria Fellows, with each recipient receiving a ₦390,000 grant to implement their proposed project.
The fellowship will also provide access to experienced mentors, clean energy industry partners, media exposure and opportunities to engage with policymakers and other relevant stakeholders.
What the Competition Offers
The Solar Power Nigeria National Youth Competition provides selected participants with the following benefits:
- ₦390,000 Project Grant: Each of the seven selected fellows will receive funding to implement a three-month community project or advocacy campaign.
- Expert Mentorship: Access to professional guidance and technical support from experienced individuals in the energy sector.
- Fellowship Opportunity: Successful applicants will become members of the Solar Power Nigeria Fellowship.
- Industry Connections: Opportunities to connect with clean energy organisations, sector partners and relevant stakeholders.
- Media Exposure: Visibility and publicity for their projects and community impact.
- Policy Engagement: Opportunities to interact with policymakers and decision-makers on energy access issues.
Additionally, two outstanding fellows will each have the opportunity to nominate a public primary school or public health facility in their community to receive a complete solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
The installations will be carried out through the programme, with public handover ceremonies organised to mark the projects.
Competition Focus Areas
Applicants are expected to develop proposals under one of two major categories:
1. Advocacy Campaign
Participants can design a three-month advocacy campaign targeting policymakers, community leaders and the general public to promote improved electricity access and the adoption of clean energy solutions.
Proposals may focus on raising awareness, influencing public policies and encouraging communities to embrace renewable energy.
2. Practical Community Solutions
Applicants can also propose practical, community-based interventions demonstrating how improved access to solar power can transform people’s lives.
Ideas may address electricity challenges affecting schools, healthcare facilities, small businesses, entrepreneurs and underserved communities.
Applicants do not need to have an engineering or renewable energy background to participate. However, their proposals must demonstrate a clear understanding of the problem, a practical solution and a realistic implementation plan.
Eligibility Requirements
The competition is open to young Nigerians who meet the following requirements:
- Must be Nigerian citizens.
- Must be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Must reside in any state of Nigeria.
- Must have an innovative idea addressing electricity access challenges in their community.
- Must be willing and able to implement a three-month advocacy campaign or community-based project if selected.
The competition welcomes young people from different educational and professional backgrounds, including those without technical expertise in solar energy.
Selection Process
Applications will be assessed by a five-member Competition Review Panel responsible for reviewing submitted ideas and identifying promising proposals.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their ideas during pitch sessions, where they will have the opportunity to explain their proposed projects and demonstrate their potential impact.
Following the assessment, seven successful candidates will be selected as Solar Power Nigeria Fellows.
The announcement of the selected fellows is expected in late December 2026.
How to Apply for the Solar Power Nigeria National Youth Competition 2026
Interested and eligible Nigerians should visit the official application portal below to submit their proposals.
Application Link: https://bit.ly/SPNCompetition
Applicants should develop a clear proposal outlining the electricity access challenge they intend to address, their proposed solution or advocacy campaign, the target community and how they plan to execute the project over three months.
Applications are free, and interested candidates are encouraged to submit their entries through the official competition platform.
Application Deadline
The application period runs from November 11 to November 24, 2026.
Young Nigerians interested in clean energy, community development, entrepreneurship and sustainable development are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to turn their ideas into practical projects that can improve electricity access in their communities.
