Lafiagi Young Shall Grow Heroes Trees Challenge

Restoring Lafiagi, One Seedling at a Time

In our ongoing mission to empower local communities and restore degraded ecosystems through nature-based solutions, the Savannah Climate Action Initiative (SAVCLIM-AFRICA) launched the Lafiagi Young Shall Grow Heroes Challenge, a youth-led tree-planting competition designed to inspire climate action in schools.

Phase I: Open Call for Participation 

In early May 2025, we announced the challenge across our platforms, inviting primary and secondary schools in Lafiagi to apply. Schools were encouraged to submit interest forms online and prepare to participate in a transformative journey of environmental education and urban greening.

Phase II: Local Engagement and School Mobilization

Between June 1st–10th, our Local Engagement Officer, Mr. Abdul, visited over 13 schools across Lafiagi to personally deliver invitations and encourage participation. Schools visited included:

1. Government Secondary School Lafiagi (JSS)

2. Shepherd Junior Secondary School Lafiagi

3. Government Day Secondary School Lafiagi (JSS)

4. FAQI Islami School Lafiagi

5. Ave Maria Junior Secondary School Lafiagi

6. UBNDawaki Junior Secondary School Lafiagi

7. Tako Gabi Primary School Lafiagi

8. Sonmasun Junior Secondary School Lafiagi

9. Kuchita LGEA Primary School Lafiagi

10. Central Junior Secondary School Lafiagi

11. Maiyaki LGEA Primary Schools

12. Police Children's School Lafiagi

13. UBE/LSS Lafiagi

Phase III: Selection of 10 Schools

After reviewing applications and verifying readiness, 10 schools were selected based on key criteria, including commitment to environmental action and availability of space for seedling management.

Each selected school agreed to:

• Plant and nurture at least 100 seedlings

• Maintain a minimum 75% survival rate to qualify for the ₦100,000 prize

Phase IV: Distribution of Materials and Official Launch

On 16th June 2025, SAVCLIM-AFRICA officially visited the 10 selected schools to:

• Deliver 100 seedling bags per school

• Provide ₦10,000 support grants

• Hand over planting tools, technical guidance forms, and monitoring sheets
  

The teachers and students received us with enthusiasm, and their dedication to tree planting is nothing short of inspiring.

The Challenge Ahead

In the coming weeks, we will closely monitor seedling growth and school engagement. The school with the healthiest trees and highest survival rate will be awarded a ₦100,000 prize as a symbol of their environmental leadership.

Why This Matters

This project isn’t just about planting trees — it’s about:

1. Reducing urban heat

2. Promoting environmental education

3. Empowering students as climate stewards

4. Rewilding our communities
   

We also advocate for the inclusion of tree planting and climate action in school curricula starting from primary education.

Follow Our Progress

Stay connected through our social media pages to watch the journey of the seedlings and support your favorite school

Let’s #RewildLafiagi and raise the next generation of climate heroes