Environment: Moroccan ecologist Saad Abid awarded in Nigeria

The festival, organized on November 22 and 24 at the Entrepreneurship Village in Akure, Nigeria, brought together more than 20 million virtual spectators, 5,000 on-site participants and numerous international dignitaries, including the President of Nigeria HE Bola Ahmed Tinubu , Governors and renowned opinion leaders. This award highlights Saad Abid’s dedication for more than 14 years to generating concrete impact among young people.

This honor comes on top of another major recognition received earlier this year in The Hague, Netherlands at the OceanLove Innovation Awards, where its innovative project “Chbyka” was praised for its contribution to marine conservation.

Through his Bahri association, Saad Abid has led innovative initiatives such as beach cleaning, waste collection and recycling programs for ragpickers, and educational projects for young people, reaching thousands of people and setting a benchmark in terms of global environmental protection.

“This honor is not only mine; it belongs to all those who believe in the power of commitment and positive change, said Saad Abid. This second international recognition in 2024 fuels my determination to continue to break barriers, inspire action and work for a sustainable future in Morocco and Africa. »

Eco-friendly at heart

Saad Abid has distinguished himself for decades with remarkable achievements as an agent of change. A former Moroccan surfing champion, he transformed his passion for adrenaline into high-impact environmental and social projects. He represented Morocco on prestigious international platforms such as COP21 in Paris, the United Nations General Assembly and the Our Ocean conference in Washington.

His efforts within the Bahri association mobilized more than 5,400 volunteers in 2016 for the largest beach clean-up ever in Morocco, inspiring young people around the world to commit to the environment.

Aside from his green initiatives, Abid is also recognized for his “Maymkench 2026” campaign, during which he met with global icons such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in 26 cities in 26 days, to promote Morocco’s candidacy for the organization of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With an engaged community on social media, Saad Abid continues to inspire through his stories, pushing boundaries in sports, entrepreneurship and philanthropy. His philosophy of overcoming mental and societal barriers has earned him international recognition, including the “2021 IVLP Alumni Decade of Social Innovation & Change Award”, presented by John Kerry.