The Federal Government has pledged its full support for the 2025 Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) Competition, which aims to foster innovation and awareness among young Nigerians in water and environmental management. The announcement was made by Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Hadejia explained that the competition is specifically designed for young people aged 15 to 20, encouraging them to become aware of the challenges related to water and environmental issues at a young age. He emphasized the importance of instilling a sense of responsibility and awareness in this age group, particularly in light of the challenges posed by climate change.
“The Stockholm Water Prize is different from the Junior Water Prize; the Junior Prize targets younger people between the ages of 15 and 20, and it’s an opportunity to teach them about water and environmental issues,” Senator Hadejia said. He noted that this competition, which spans nearly 35 countries, engages over ten thousand participants globally, offering a unique opportunity for Nigeria to make a significant contribution.
This year’s event is especially important, Hadejia pointed out, as it coincides with the Vice President’s engagement in Oslo in 2024 and the expected visit of Sweden’s Crown Princess later this year.
The Head of Political and Trade Affairs at the Swedish Embassy in Abuja Fredrik Åhsberg, further highlighted that the competition is organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute and aims to involve young minds in finding solutions to global water challenges.
The competition is open to qualified students from secondary and tertiary schools in Nigeria. Interested candidates can apply from March 27 to May 2, 2025, and will participate in regional finals, with the national final taking place at the Swedish Embassy in Abuja later in the year.
National Coordinator for Nigeria’s Stockholm Junior Water Prize Ikechukwu Chinemerem, explained that the competition encourages students to propose projects addressing water-related issues. It is one of the ways to engage the younger generation in solving water problems, while also learning about the importance of water management from an early age.
Nigeria’s Commitment to Expanding Digital Trade Under AfCFTA
In a related development, Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating digital trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). At the World Trade Organization (WTO) Aid for Trade session in Geneva, Special Assistant to the President on Export Expansion, Aliyu Bunu Sheriff, emphasized Nigeria’s position as a regional hub for digital trade.
Sheriff stressed that Nigeria views digital trade as a critical component of its economic diversification strategy, aiming to position the country as a leader in digital services in the region. He highlighted the government’s efforts in streamlining trade processes, enhancing exports, and leveraging digital identity and payment systems for cross-border commerce.
“By enhancing infrastructure, streamlining trade, and leveraging digital platforms, we can unlock Africa’s $4.3 trillion market under AfCFTA. Nigeria is at the forefront of this transformation,” Sheriff said.
He also called on global partners, development organizations, and the private sector to invest in broadband infrastructure, support capacity-building for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and enable seamless digital payments for cross-border transactions. The Nigerian government is also working closely with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI UK) to launch workshops aimed at improving trade processes and exports at the state level.
Sheriff praised the leadership of Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, for her efforts in advancing Nigeria’s digital trade agenda. Through these collaborative efforts, Nigeria aims to position itself as a leader in Africa’s digital trade revolution, calling for global partnerships to fully realize the continent’s digital economy potential.
