Nigerian conservationist wins 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize
A Nigerian conservation ecologist, Iroro Tanshi, has been named Africa’s winner of the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious awards for grassroots environmental activism. The Goldman
A Nigerian conservation ecologist, Iroro Tanshi, has been named Africa’s winner of the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious awards for grassroots environmental activism.
The Goldman Environmental Foundation announced the winners on Monday in San Francisco, United States, recognising six environmental activists from across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South and Central America, and island nations.
Tanshi was honoured for her work in protecting biodiversity and preventing wildfires in and around the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, one of Nigeria’s most significant rainforest ecosystems.
According to the Foundation, Tanshi rediscovered the endangered short-tailed roundleaf bat in Nigeria—a species that had not been recorded in the country for decades—and subsequently identified human-induced wildfires as the primary threat to its survival.
In response, she launched a community-led wildfire-prevention initiative, working closely with local farmers and residents to reduce fire risk. The program involved training and equipping community fire brigades, introducing early-warning systems, and promoting safer land-management practices.
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Between early 2022 and May 2025, the initiative helped prevent major wildfires by responding to more than 70 fire outbreaks in surrounding farmlands and forests. The intervention has helped protect both biodiversity and the livelihoods of thousands of people in nearby communities.
The Goldman Environmental Prize, established in 1989 by philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman, is awarded annually to environmental activists from six global regions. It is widely regarded as the highest honour for grassroots environmental work.
In a statement, John Goldman, Vice President of the Foundation, said the 2026 winners demonstrate that “courage, hard work, and hope” can drive meaningful environmental progress globally.
This year’s edition is the first in which all six recipients are women, highlighting the growing role of women in environmental leadership and climate action worldwide.
Other recipients include Borim Kim (South Korea), Sarah Finch (United Kingdom), Theonila Roka Matbob (Papua New Guinea), Alannah Acaq Hurley (United States), and Yuvelis Morales Blanco (Colombia), who were recognised for efforts ranging from climate litigation and anti-mining campaigns to stopping fossil fuel projects.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place in San Francisco during Earth Week and will be livestreamed globally.
Tanshi’s recognition is expected to draw attention to Nigeria’s conservation efforts and the role of community-driven solutions in addressing environmental challenges such as deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate-related risks.
