Seventeen-year-old Nigerian environmentalist Amara Nwuneli has been awarded the 2025 Earth Prize and a $12,500 grant for her innovative project: transforming a former dumpsite in Ikota, Lagos, into a vibrant playground using recycled tires and other reclaimed materials. This initiative not only provides a safe recreational space for children but also addresses environmental concerns by repurposing waste materials.
Motivated by her personal experience during the 2020 floods that displaced her family, Amara founded the NGO “Preserve Our Roots” to promote environmental awareness and resilience. Her organization has produced a documentary on Africa’s climate crisis and is actively working to create green spaces in urban areas.
With the prize money, Amara plans to develop three additional eco-friendly parks in Nigeria, focusing on regions vulnerable to climate change, including Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states. These parks aim to serve as multifunctional community spaces, featuring gardens, greenhouses, and waste collection centers, thereby promoting sustainability and community engagement.
Amara’s long-term vision includes establishing a “Central Park” in Lagos to foster environmental stewardship and provide residents with much-needed green spaces in a city where less than 3% of the area is designated as such.
Her remarkable efforts have garnered international recognition, positioning her as a leading figure in youth-led environmental activism and sustainable urban development.
