Nicholas Kee of Jamaica has been named the Caribbean regional winner of the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work. The prestigious announcement came during an award ceremony held in London on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
Kee was among five regional winners recognized at the event, each receiving a prize of £3,000 for their outstanding contributions to development work. The other regional winners included Murad Ansary from Bangladesh (Asia), Zubair Junjunia from the United Kingdom (Europe and Canada), and Bethalyn Kelly from Solomon Islands (Pacific).
The overall title of 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year was awarded to Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu from Nigeria, who also claimed the top regional award for Africa. Anigbogu, founder and CEO of LightEd, was recognized for transforming waste into solar innovations that provide clean energy to over 10,000 refugees across Africa. His double victory earned him a total prize of £5,000.
Commonwealth Secretary-General,Patricia Scotland, congratulated Anigbogu, saying: “Not only are you bringing hope and light to vulnerable communities and refugees who face many hardships and disadvantages, but you are also ridding communities of harmful waste and pollution, leaving environments safer and cleaner for other young people. This is a testament to the creativity of the Commonwealth’s youth.
“Stanley is training other young people and providing skills for employment in a field that will contribute to the energy transition we need to mitigate against climate change. You are a true revolutionary – a visionary – and I am pleased to award you the title of Commonwealth Young Person of the Year,” she continued.
Upon receiving the award, Anigbogu stated: “It is an incredible honour to receive this recognition alongside an inspiring group of 20 young changemakers, all dedicated to launching innovative solutions that drive transformative change for millions of young people around the world. I cannot wait to continue this journey with the support of the Commonwealth and its remarkable network of partners.”
The Khalili Foundation also presented PEACE Awards to five exceptional young people. Executive Director Waqas Ahmed congratulated the winners from Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili, Chairman of the Khalili Foundation, praised the PEACE awardees, saying that “Youth-led initiatives rooted in understanding and dialogue are key to building a more harmonious Commonwealth. I am delighted to recognise these young stars whose examples will inspire people across the Commonwealth and beyond to act in service of peace, unity, and harmony.”
Shem Ochola, Deputy Director General at the Commonwealth Foundation, which provided £30,000 in funding for the event, added that, “The Commonwealth Foundation proudly congratulates Stanley Anigbogu. His innovation, brilliance, and passion stand as a testament to the transformative power of youth leadership. Indeed, his work, alongside other participants in this initiative, showcases the immense potential of youth-focused, asset-based development. Today, we celebrate not just an achievement but a legacy in the making.”
From over 800 submissions, the 20 finalists were narrowed to five regional winners by a pan-Commonwealth adjudication panel. Each of the 20 finalists received a trophy, a certificate and £1,000 to support their work.
The awards ceremony took place after Commonwealth Day celebrations and was an important milestone during a two-week Commonwealth Youth Leadership Summit in London.
