Meet Adenike Oladosu | Climate Justice Leader and founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adenike Oladosu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adenike, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It all started with what idea that innovation can contribute to solving societal issues; where to start from and who to speak with. Thus, there was no platform to leverage my work. I reached out to some people to write an article for their newspaper, but I didn’t get a response from them. I thought I could just start from somewhere by using my digital platforms for the needed actions. I began to research environmental instability in Nigeria and around the world. In 2018, I joined movements like the Fridays for Future as the first in Africa to join the initiative, which was aimed at reaching out to millions of people in the call for climate justice. I started mobilizing people both in the grassroots (physically) and online. From there, I started getting invitations to several speaking events within Nigeria and internationally, which shows that someone somewhere is watching, paying attention, and also listening to my work. In 2019, I opened a blog site called (https://www.womenandcrisis.com/) where I have written more than 100 articles. Also, I got invites to write opinion articles for international newspapers and magazines, which further expanded my reach. From that stand, people began to become familiar with my work and activities. It took a lot of effort, getting good advice from the right people, being positive, trusting, and showcasing my ability in more than one way; I write, speak, make videos, and own a YouTube channel where I interview people (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvUSdhOuHZ7ojz_4eHOsgYw). It came with a huge sacrifice of time and money. I started the “I Lead Climate Action Initiative” in 2019, a pan-Africa NGO on environmental matters (https://www.ileadclimateaction.org/)

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been advocating for climate justice for the longest time. I was recently recognized as a BBC 100 Women climate pioneer globally as an inspiring and influential leader. It’s been a long way coming, and I did not see that coming. I was only doing what I think is good for society as my contribution towards solving the defining issues of our time. I was a two-term Nigerian youth delegate to the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP) for COP25 and COP26 in Spain and the UK, respectively. On those occasions, I was not considered fit to attend such of large conference because a certain person felt I was not good enough to represent the country. The then Minister for Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor, believed in my ability and supported me all the way to attend the conference. I was fully sponsored to attend the conference, and I emerged as the center of the attraction; my work was openly showcased and celebrated as one of the twelve women who were leading globally at the COP, I was featured on the foremost Spanish magazine and the wall of a New York street in the USA. At that same COP25, I met with Greta Thunberg, which was widely shared by different media outlets, including the Swedish social media account. At the same conference, at spoke at different side events spotlighting Nigerian climate change issues and other solutions. So my participation at the next COP, which was COP26, became undeniable because of the previous performance. It not only made me proud but also my country, and those who supported me and does who did not support me were all proud. On 2024 June 5th, I was appointed as the UN’s Education Cannot Wait new climate champion in spotlighting issues on the effects of climate change on education for boys and girls in climate and conflict-affected regions. I have progressed further, to being selected for multiple fellowships: the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt fellowship, the Panel on Planetary Thinking at Justus Liebig University in Giessen, the New Institute in Hamburg, and now the Research Institute for Sustainability. All of these achievements came with greater responsibility, and it took a lot of time. I have learnt to maintain good relationships with people, even though you have not met the person or you have seen them in person, just value the relationship and join good associations of people who believe in what you do, so that such energy that you give can fuel greater impacts in the work. Along the way to my professional success, I have gotten support, no matter how little it may be, from different people. As a professional, I am leading the largest ecofeminist movement in Africa and creating a safe space for women and girls in the bid to protect our collective rights through the “I Lead Climate Action Initiative” where we have empowered more than 100,000 women through the access to resources to be the true custodian of the environment. We cannot solve the climate crisis without women and girls. It is important to note that if Africa is not safe, Europe, America, and the rest of the world aren’t safe.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I will assume my best friend came to visit me in my hometown, Ogbomoso, Oyo State in Nigeria. My hometown is the second-largest city in Nigeria by land mass. On our way around the city, I will show her the different villages as we pass by to different fun locations. Each kindred has a unique name that is given following a particular incident, artifact, or what they are most known for. For example, I am from Ile Balogun (Balogun residence), we are known historically as an important figure in the old Oyo empire for military power, in fighting against wars within and between different cities. I will prepare for them homemade local food, vegetable soups, pounded yam, and a locally sourced palm wine, which is known as “emu” in my dialect. Trust me, it is not the regular kind of drink; our palm wine tastes different and gives great flavour. I will serve you mango, the best mango you have ever tasted, it is one of its kind in the world. Afterwards, a fun place to hang out is a local gathering of light musical entertainment of our traditional music materials, such as the Beta, talking drum, and praise singers. These praise singers connect you to your roots through their songs, known as “oriki” in my tribe. An interesting place to visit could be the Soun of Ogbomoso, the paramount traditional ruler. An exciting place to visit is the suspended lake called Ado-Awaye Lake, one of the only two suspended lakes in the world, which has been recognized by the Ramsar Center as a wetland and heritage site. The Lake holds a lot of historical background, meaning, and culture. I will take her to visit places where garri is processed and preserved; those actively involved are women. Also, I could show her my grandfather’s cocoa farm, which is half a century old.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family has always been a great pillar of support. They have supported me in every way they can. I have received support that has long-lasting till date. One of such as on the 2nd of January 2021, I got an email just like a new year gift from YBCA (Yerba Buena Center for the Arts) San Francisco, California, USA that I am on of the 100 honoree not only that, I was chosen as one of the mentors for the ten fellows that were selected among the honoree. I don’t know who nominated me, but I am grateful to the nominator because that organization (YBCA) created a great impact without borders, and my time spent during the one-year mentorship was highly paid for, which earned me my first mentorship engagement role. Also, I knew Tamara Toles O’Laughlin through Mary Annaise Heglar from Twitter (both people I have not met in person), but they have brought great value to my work. They are great and lovely people. They added a lot of colors to my engagement and boosted my followers’ strengths. I have known both of them since 2019.

Website: https://www.ileadclimateaction.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/an_ecofeminist/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://ng.linkedin.com/in/oladosu-adenike-65156a18a

Twitter: https://x.com/the_ecofeminist?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oladosu.adenike.3/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPN1C9p5S9M

Other: https://www.womenandcrisis.com/

Image Credits
The first image: Oke, Moses
The first four photos: Oke, Moses
The two photos with Greta and me: online press
My single image photo with my hands on my jaw is taken by “Stile imagery”