The 2026 Green Essay Competition, organized by the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation (SETPOM), has recognized six outstanding secondary school students from Lagos State for their contributions to environmental awareness. The winners were announced during an international conference held at the University of Lagos on Tuesday.

In the junior secondary category, Oyenike Adeyemi from Methodist Girls’ High School took the top prize, earning N100,000. Following her were Faridah Moshood of Daltha Heights School in second place, who received N70,000, and Fathia Zubair from Nurul-Islam Comprehensive High School, who secured third with N50,000.

The senior secondary category saw Atoyebi Halimat from Dowen College, Lekki, emerge as the winner, also claiming N100,000. Adewunmi Princess from Methodist Girls’ High School, Yaba, finished second with N70,000, while Kamal Adabale from Crescent High School, Victoria Island, took home N50,000 for third place.

The competition aims to engage young minds in environmental issues and promote sustainable practices through education. Other participants included Ibraheem Olaniyan of Daltha High School, Oluwadarasimi Esan of Dowen College, Adeyemo Jedidiah of Methodist Girls High School, and Odemwingie Agidigbi of YCT Secondary School.

At the conference, environmentalist Desmond Majekodunmi addressed the pressing issue of flooding in Lagos, attributing the risk to rising sea levels and the degradation of wetlands and mangroves. He emphasized the urgent need for the Lagos State Government to halt development activities that compromise the environment, particularly the sand-filling of wetlands.

Majekodunmi highlighted the critical role of wetlands and mangroves in absorbing excess rainfall, stating, “Parts of Lagos are under very grave risk of massive flooding.” He urged for stronger protection of these ecosystems, arguing that genuine development should not come at the cost of environmental degradation.

Furthermore, Prof. Ganiyu Oyetibo, Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Lagos, stressed the importance of environmental security and ecosystem resilience for global stability. He warned that competition for dwindling natural resources could lead to insecurity and called for enhanced environmental governance.

The conference also featured discussions on the role of technology in environmental protection. Prof. Kehinde Kemabonta, Head of the Department of Zoology at UNILAG, urged citizens to maintain clean surroundings and engage in tree planting as part of community efforts to safeguard the environment.

Dr. Idowu Aneyo, President of SETPOM, reiterated the importance of translating environmental research into practical solutions that can improve lives. She noted that the Green Essay Competition serves as a platform for engaging youth in vital environmental discussions, which is essential for building a sustainable future.

The event concluded with the recognition of Dr. Funmilayo Doherty from Yaba College of Technology, who received the 2026 SETPOM Fellow Award for her significant contributions to environmental skills development and sustainable livelihoods. Her commitment to advancing environmental sustainability and creating opportunities for sustainable practices was acknowledged as a vital part of the ongoing efforts to protect the environment in Nigeria.