By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced the closure of the Community Category of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge, disclosing that the competition recorded no significant entries.
In a press statement, Senator Tinubu said the category, which closed on Wednesday, 15 July, 2026, was created to encourage communities across Nigeria to transform degraded spaces, including dumpsites, landfills and abandoned sites, into green parks, gardens and other eco-friendly environments. She, however, noted that the initiative failed to attract meaningful participation.
Despite the low response, the First Lady commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, for the remodelling of the Abuja City Gate, describing it as a fitting example of the environmental transformation the Community Category was designed to promote.
According to her, the remodelled Abuja City Gate has become a notable landmark and demonstrates how deliberate environmental renewal can transform public spaces for the benefit of residents.
Senator Tinubu, therefore, urged state governments to replicate such initiatives by investing in cleaner and greener communities. She also called for proper waste management and the clearing of drainage channels of plastic waste and other obstructions to reduce the incidence of flooding.
The First Lady, however, clarified that the closure affects only the Community Category, explaining that the Household and State categories of the Green Nigeria Challenge will remain open until Sunday, 20 December, 2026.
She consequently encouraged households and state governments to participate in the competition by submitting their entries through the Offices of the First Ladies in their respective states.
While calling on Nigerians to embrace environmental sustainability, Senator Tinubu urged citizens to support the campaign for a cleaner environment, declaring: “Together, let us Go Green Today for a Greener Tomorrow.”
She added that prospective participants could obtain detailed information on the competition guidelines and eligibility criteria through the Renewed Hope Initiative website,[www.rhinitiative.org](http://www.rhinitiative.org). The Renewed Hope Initiative Green Nigeria Challenge seeks to promote environmental sustainability by encouraging households, communities and state governments to undertake projects that improve the environment and create healthier living spaces
