What we do to keep the Planet Safe: Climate Story
By Oladosu Adenike
The world was created with everything needed within it. Yet, mankind remain the biggest threat to its destruction. My name is Oladosu Adenike from Nigeria; an ecofeminist, climate justice activist and agricultural economist. Being an activist in these portfolio has not been smooth neither pleasurable. At some point, it looks frustrating because our demands for climate justice seems to be the hardest action that needs everyone to make a move forward creating a better place; invariably just have to start from somewhere to make the movement inclusive. It might look like a distance goal to get everyone involved in climate action despite the countless number of actions that are being taken currently and many decades ago. We are not going to be silenced because we are unstoppable.
Everyone is born to be an activist in his or her own capacity but the ability to manifest it is one thing everyone needs to deal with. It doesn’t matter whether you are old or young, black or white, female or male, there is a point in life stages you need to fight for the planet that houses you. My journey into the environmental movement started in school in 200Level while studying climate related courses: Agricultural Economics. Precisely in 2014, when the Chibok school girls in Borno state of Nigeria was kidnapped by Boko Haram due to insecurity issues arising from the shrinking Lake chad. This made me an Ecofeminist because I have seen and heard about the effects of climate change in Nigeria; Niger-Delta crises, farmer-herdsmen clashes and the various environment issues. At every environment crises, women are always at the center of these crises. This has made me fight for climate justice because environmental justice is equivalent to women rights. Our environmental conditions have always make us take backstage in attaining gender equality.
Thus, the effects of climate change have been raging the whole world in one aspect but it is more evident in African continent. Climate change now drives armed conflicts as seen in the shrinking Lake chad or the western part of Africa. Closest to the shrinking Lake chad is the northeastern part of Nigeria that is bee faced with deforestation, dryness drought and desert encroachment. These have led to the migration of herdsmen in this region to greener pasture where my school is located; generally known as the food basket of the nation. In the process of searching for food to feed the cattle, they intrude into the farmer’s land. This has led to loss of lives & likelihoods. It wasn’t a good experience seeing these conflicts contributing to an extra one year to the five years course I opt in for, it’s was sad. At times, villages from neighborhoods migrate into our school compound to seek for refuge in time like this. In some cases, students pandemic for fear of the unknown outcome. The climate change driven crises is becoming visible as years passes by.
One thing that climate change can do Africa continent especially the western parts, is that it could birth poverty, in returns lead to armed conflict due to fight for natural resources and can develop into war. Some of these “symptoms” are fast forthcoming. Activism is giving all it takes to get what you want. We aren’t fighting the invisible forces, yet we see effects of climate change springing out; from flooding to wildfire and intense heat. We have 10 years left for us to act according to IPCC. It is time for us to lead climate before it leads us into total destruction. IPCC gave a focal point of no return on climate action to be 2050; it is subjected to exchanges it emissions keep rising.
All of these summed together gave me boldness to start taking climate action on a weekly bases since November, 2018. From public places, to schools, communities and social gathering just to educate people about climate change and actions needed to back it up, so as to derive sustainable solutions to the longest undefeated crises yet. Through this personal funding commitments, we have been able to reach out to thousands of people and in some cases, we engage them in tree planting activities. Any action we join internationally, is localized because we need to start from the grassroots. As we are taking one action, we are thinking of the next action to take. With the current threats of coronavirus pandemic to deal amid the climate crises happening everywhere have shown that these two crises are not just defining issues of our lives but two sides of the same coin. That, needs to be taken simultaneously in like manners that world leaders are unifying together to stem the virus.
For six weeks now, I have been campaigning for green recovery post covid-19, since we can’t do our normal routine actions. Virtually going in making our demands a reality so as to reach as many people as possible. This is not just only a pathway we can build better and stronger economics but to strengthen commitments towards actualizing Paris climate Agreement. This pandemic has given us clue to the vaccine needed in tackling climate change from the pandemic: green recovery. The decision world leaders take to boost their economies system will determine if we win the race against climate change but we have no reason to loss the race. Thus, I have included free production of face masks to my community members few weeks ago especially to people that can’t afford the cost so as to stem the spread of the coronavirus infections. We aren’t safe if one person in your community is infected by the virus, it our responsibility to mask them up. Community transfer of this virus can lead to second wave of this infection if not properly addressed.
Nevertheless, everyone have a role to play in complementing climate commitments of world leaders. It is important that youth play a critical role in post – COVID-19 era. My life desire is to close the gap between man and its nature. Like in the words of Martin Luther King Jrn; “Our lives begin to end the day we become silence about things that matter.” My life matters, so is my environment.
Oladosu Adenike (oladosuadenike32@gmail.com) is an ecofeminist, Peace activist and climate justice activist. The founder of “lead climate”. African Youth Climate Hub Ambassador.
THE RISE OF CLIMATE ACTIVISM IN NIGERIA
THE YOUTH MOVEMENT: LEADING THE CHARGE
Young Nigerians are at the forefront of climate activism in the country. Inspired by global figures like Greta Thunberg and motivated by the direct impact of climate change on their communities, young activists are mobilizing for action. Prominent youth leaders like Adenike Oladosu have gained international recognition for their efforts. Oladosu, an eco-feminist and climate activist, advocates for climate justice and the empowerment of women and girls. Through her work, she highlights the intersection of climate change and social issues, emphasizing the need for inclusive solutions.
GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS: COMMUNITY-CENTERED APPROACHES
Grassroots organizations play a crucial role in Nigeria’s climate activism landscape. These groups focus on local issues, leveraging community knowledge and networks to drive change. Organizations like the Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC), and the Women Initiative for Sustainable Environment( a non-profit organization) are actively involved in educating communities, advocating for sustainable practices, and pushing for environmental policies. NYCC, for instance, organizes workshops and campaigns to raise awareness about climate change and its effects on Nigeria. They empower young people with the knowledge and tools to advocate for sustainable practices within their communities. WISE, on the other hand, fosters sustainable environmental practices and promotes the empowerment of women and young females to become environmental stewards, climate actors, and peacebuilders.
DIGITAL ACTIVISM: AMPLIFYING VOICES
The rise of digital activism has significantly boosted climate activism in Nigeria. Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook have become powerful tools for mobilizing supporters, sharing information, and organizing events. Hashtags such as #ClimateStrikeNigeria and #NigerianClimateAction help unify the movement, bringing together diverse voices from across the country.Digital campaigns have also facilitated collaborations between Nigerian activists and global movements. This interconnectedness has amplified the reach of Nigerian climate activists, allowing them to share their stories and advocate for change on an international stage.
HIGH-PROFILE CAMPAIGNS AND LEGAL ACTION
High-profile campaigns and legal actions are essential components of Nigeria’s climate activism. Environmental organizations and activists are increasingly using the courts to hold corporations and the government accountable for environmental degradation and policy failures. Legal challenges have been filed against oil companies for pollution and environmental damage, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AND POLICY ADVOCACY
Climate activists in Nigeria are also pushing for corporate responsibility and advocating for policy changes. They are calling on companies to adopt sustainable practices and reduce their carbon footprints. Additionally, activists are engaging with policymakers to ensure that environmental concerns are prioritized in national development plans.Organizations like 350 Nigeria are part of the global 350.org movement, focusing on the fossil fuel divestment campaign. They advocate for divesting from fossil fuels and investing in renewable energy, highlighting the financial risks of continued reliance on oil and gas.
CONCLUSION
The rise of climate activism in Nigeria is a testament to the power of grassroots movements, youth leadership, and digital advocacy. Nigerian climate activists are not only raising awareness about the urgent need for action but also driving tangible change through community engagement, legal actions, and policy advocacy. As the movement continues to grow, it is crucial to support and amplify the voices of Nigerian climate activists. Their efforts are essential in the fight against climate change, ensuring a sustainable and equitable future for Nigeria and the world. By addressing the unique challenges faced by their communities and leveraging global solidarity, Nigerian climate activists are paving the way for a greener, more resilient Future.
Fighting for climate change and gender equality in Nigeria.
When Adenike Oladosu first heard about Greta Thunberg's fight against climate change, she recognized her home country Nigeria needed to join this fight. But Oladosu also saw that Thunberg's initiative was practically unknown in her country. Adenike Oladosu decided to take matters into her own hands: The then 23-year-old started following Greta Thunberg on Twitter. When Greta followed her back, Adenike Oladosu felt that she was onto something. With her dream of a pan-African climate movement in mind, she launched Fridays for Future Nigeria. From there, "the movement started growing and growing,” she tells DW.
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| Climate activist Adenike Oladosu |
Adenike Oladosu went on to blog and tweet regularly about the fight against climate change. In an interview with DW, she says: "I am trying to create an African perspective that people can relate to, and we can use it to solve different crises in our society because every society has its own perspective.”
Fighting climate injustice – online
Her main concern: climate injustice, on a geographical and social level. Despite the world facing the effects of climate change, Adenike Oladosu says, it disproportionately affects Africa. According to research from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the African continent is warming faster than the rest of world – with the prospects of regions becoming entirely uninhabitable in the future. In 2019, Adenike Oladosu spoke about this at the UN Youth Climate Summit – demanding action from world leaders. In the same year, she received the Ambassador of Conscience Award by Amnesty International Nigeria.
For Adenike Oladosu, the quest for equality for women in society is directly linked to the fight against global warming – which is why she uses the term "eco-feminist” to describe herself: "I call myself an eco-feminist because women have a very close relationship with the environment. It affects them due to energy poverty, lack of access to education, resources, and water,” she says in an interview with DW.
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| Adenike Oladosu explains the application of liquid fertilizer |
Less water, more threats against women
Three years ago, she also launched the eco-initiative "I Lead Climate”. Her initial goal of the organization was to make the fight against climate change a local affair. She wanted to raise awareness in and for the Sahel region, an area prone to conflict and violence against women.
Lake Chad in the Sahel region is still one of Adenike Oladosu's main focal points. The lake has been a source of livelihood – and water – for the some 30 million people in the lake-adjacent countries of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon. The shallow lake has been varying in size for centuries, but since the 1960s, the lake has shrunk by about 95% according to the United Nations Environmental Program.
For many women living in the area, the drying up of this main source means no income and further walks to get water for their families. A longer walk means more risks for them. Adenike Oladosu also points to a rise of abductions in the area, child marriages and the fact that more than two thirds of the displaced people in the area are women. The shrinking Lake Chad adds significantly to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
This increases the risk for them on the way. Adenike Oladosu also points to a rise of abductions in the area, child marriages and the fact that more than two-thirds of the displaced people in the area are women. She says this shrinkage underpins one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
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| Adenike Oladosu, eco-feminist from Nigeria, talking to pupils |
The power of the network
To fight for this to change, Adenike Oladosu translates her online activism into offline activities, taking a more traditional route to make sure to reach as many people affected as possible. Having a degree in Agricultural Economics, she meets with farmers in different districts – but she also goes to schools and universities, public and private alike. "I try to educate people about the impact because I believe that we must first know the problem before we can solve it,” she tells DW. And her approach bears fruit. She says she is receiving more questions at gatherings and the interest in sustainable farming alternatives seems to be growing.
Her main way of reaching out to women and others in her vast home country Nigeria, however, is still the internet. Using hashtags, she is able to group interests and create networks for those willing to join her effort. "Digital tools are important for us to see how we can bridge that gap in communicating needs to people. And that is what I'm using my social media channels for," Adenike Oladosu says to DW. "All of these things can help to reduce the adverse impact of the climate change crisis."
Her main way of reaching out to women and others in her vast native Nigeria, however, is still the internet. Using hashtags, she is able to group interests and create networks for those willing to join her effort. "Digital tools are important for us to see how we can bridge that gap in communicating needs to people. And that is what I'm using my social media channels to do," Adenike Oladosu says to DW. "All of these things can help to reduce the adverse impact of climate change crisis."
How a Nigerian ecofeminist grew a climate movement
After witnessing the violent impacts of warming, Oladosu Adenike started a national movement empowering young people to take action
ladosu Adenike isn’t your typical revolutionary. While others might dream of toppling regimes by storming the barricades, this soft-spoken Nigerian with a fire in her eyes is leading a quieter revolution: a green one.
Her path to climate activism was not sparked by televised reports of environmental decline, but by witnessing the years-long conflict over land in Benue State, in Nigeria’s North Central region, while she was pursuing her undergraduate studies.
Clashes between farmers and cattle herders have become a grim reality exacerbated by climate change. The once-fertile land is succumbing to intense heat and flooding, displacing families and leaving a trail of loss and despair in its wake. Yet, amidst the violence and finger-pointing, Adenike saw a different narrative unfolding while she was a student.
“There were these terrible clashes and people on both sides were losing everything,” she recalls. “But what struck me most was how few people connected the dots. They saw the conflict as purely ethnic or religious. When in reality, it was the climate, this invisible hand, that was squeezing the life out of our land and pitting communities against each other.”
From witness to activist
The seed for her activism had been planted: “I saw that there was a need for me to take action. I began by asking myself what I could do differently. How could I champion climate action in my community and also involve more young people to begin to take action?”
Adenike began her new life as a climate activist with a passion for awakening similar zeal in young people across Nigeria and beyond. Her journey from an undergraduate witnessing the harrowing impacts of climate change in Benue to the founder of the ILeadClimate initiative is a story of resilience, determination, and a fierce commitment to empowering women in the fight against environmental degradation.
Under Adenike’s leadership, ILeadClimate has become a strong movement in Nigeria, instilling in youth a passion for environmental stewardship.
Adenike emphasises the urgency of the present and stresses the need to spread the gospel of climate action far and wide.
“The logic is simple,” she says. “If you don’t understand the problem, you can’t solve it. That’s why we’re laser-focused on climate education for young people. We’ve taken our message to schools, community gatherings and anywhere else we can find an ear.”
“It’s inspiring to see the growing number of people championing climate education in Nigeria and elsewhere,” she adds, a hint of pride in her voice.
“We succeeded in bringing more young people to the climate justice space. Now we have many young people who want to do something for their communities and countries as well.”
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| Oladosu Adenike at COP28 (Image courtesy of Oladosu Adenike) |
The agricultural economics graduate has carried her message onto the global stage, including the World Economic Forum. In December 2019, she attended the COP25 UN Climate Change Conference in Spain as a youth diplomat and delivered a speech that shone a light on the harsh impacts of climate change in Africa.
Closer to home, Adenike has nudged Nigerian policymakers towards more climate-conscious decisions.
“As my voice gained traction,” she says, “I found myself engaged in discussions surrounding Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions” – referring to Nigeria’s climate action plan under the Paris Agreement, which is due for its next revision in 2025.
Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and most populous country, but it also holds the grim distinction of leading the world in deforestation. In 2012, the government stated that Nigeria had the highest rate of deforestation in Africa, and the highest loss of primary forest globally.
In 2021, the country’s revised NDC included a projection of 2030 business-as-usual emissions that was half of what it projected in its first NDC submission of 2017.
This update did not materialise in a vacuum. It reflects the advocacy of climate activists like Adenike, whose efforts contributed to the passage of Nigeria’s Climate Change Bill, which was signed into law by the then-president Muhammadu Buhari in November 2021.
While the bill’s passage marks a victory, Adenike remains cautious: “The bill is now law, but we need to see more action from the government in terms of its implementation.”
Empowering women and protecting the environment
Adenike proudly identifies as an ecofeminist, recognising the intersection between climate activism and women’s rights. For her, the label carries the weight of Africa’s climate reality, where women bear the brunt of water scarcity. In 2014, the UN reported that women in Sub-Saharan Africa spent a staggering 40 billion hours annually fetching water. This was equivalent to one year’s worth of labour by the entire workforce of France.
This fact resonates deeply with Adenike. “I personally experienced this burden,” she reveals. “I know first-hand how it consumes our time, which is why I identify as an ecofeminist. The water crisis disproportionately impacts women, forcing them to trek for very long distances. This hinders our self-empowerment and steals opportunities.”
Women have a lot to give – we cannot solve the climate crisis without women
Oladosu Adenike
Through her initiative, Adenike has equipped thousands of women with the tools to conserve their environment. She envisions a future where women, armed with their indigenous knowledge, are recognised as pivotal players in tackling food security, ecosystem restoration, and broader environmental challenges across the continent.
“We’ve equipped over 10,000 women with the necessary resources – organic fertilisers, indigenous seedlings, and tools – to become game-changers, channelling their traditional knowledge towards environmental conservation.”
“Women have a lot to give,” she adds. “We cannot solve the climate crisis without women.”
A message for aspiring changemakers
Reflecting on the challenges of being a woman climate activist, Adenike says she initially struggled to establish a platform. Undeterred, she created her own space and now dabbles as an environmental reporter, leveraging her blog (www.womenandcrisis.com) and YouTube channel to amplify her voice.
Financial constraints and the need for broader outreach remain challenges, but Adenike is optimistic: “I believe that more and more people will wake up to the vital role of female climate activists.”
She wants young women entering the climate fray to know that persistence matters.
“Every action, however seemingly small, contributes to the whole,” she emphasises. “Start locally, find ways to raise your profile, and utilise social media to amplify your efforts. Remember, the real impact of your work is what truly resonates.
“Keep striving, keep dreaming. We are all working together towards a more sustainable, equitable future. The future we envision is within reach, and each action, each voice, is important. That is my message.”
