Durodoluwa Femi-Ajala - On Being A Climate Activist in Nigeria
Interviewed by Munirah Yaqoub
For as long as I can remember, the term, climate change has been used to warn us. As acid rain, forest fires, global warming, biodiversity loss, and other issues demonstrate, climate change can be extremely dangerous. Contrary to popular belief, the environment significantly determines how long any living thing will survive. So, it must be kept clean and well-maintained in general. The consequences are far too serious to be ignored.
In my opinion, Nigeria has a problem with environmental sustainability. Littering, killing or eating endangered species, and burning coal, among other things, all contribute to the climate problems we face today. This is not to say that Nigeria is a major contributor to climate change; however, we are not saints either. In this interview, I talk about life as a climate activist in Nigeria with Durodoluwa Femi-Ajala, aka the Green Advocate.
Durodoluwa Femi-Ajala
Munirah: Duro, thank you for being here. Please introduce yourself.
Duro: My name is Durodoluwa Femi-Ajala. I am a lawyer who graduated from the University of Lagos last year and the Nigerian Law School this year. I am also an environmental sustainability advocate, and in 2019 I co-founded the organization, Youth Sustainability Development Network (YSDN), with a few of my other colleagues.
M: You refer to yourself as the Green Advocate. How did that happen? What piqued your interest in environmental sustainability?
D: The fact that I despise waste piqued my interest. I'm not sure where my dislike for waste stemmed from, but it's just something I've always disliked. I despise it when people throw dirt out of their cars. I became interested in environmental sustainability after trying to figure out why I disliked waste so much. It began in secondary school, and even though I didn't understand the concept at the time, I tried to keep my surroundings clean. When I started university, I began to consider ways to broaden my interest in environmental sustainability. In 2016, I began volunteering with an organization called We Cyclers. In exchange for incentives, they collect waste from the community such as plastics, cans, and papers. For example, submitting 10 kg of waste in exchange for a gift at the end of the month or quarter encourages more people to submit their waste to them. This was the start of my journey.
Later, I volunteered with Climate Wednesday, now known as the International Climate Change Development Initiative Africa (ICCDIA), and I am now on staff. It is a community-based organization that addresses community issues such as climate change, pollution, and energy by providing solutions from the ground up to the state level. So that pretty much sums up my environmental sustainability career path. My passion is more innate and has always persisted; I'm not sure how to describe it. I adore the environment and want to preserve it.
So, this, along with my Lagos Model United Nations (LMUN) experience, which opened my eyes to international relations and how other countries face similar climate problems as Nigeria, inspired me to do more for the community. This resulted in the establishment of the Zero-Hunger Initiative (ZHI). The initiative was centred on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and later evolved into the Youth Sustainability Development Network (YSDN).
M: Very interesting, thank you. Please tell us a bit more about YSDN.
D: As I previously stated, YSDN evolved from ZHI. Damilola Balogun, the current CEO, and I were discussing the creation of a hunger-focused organization and how we can reduce the rate of hunger in the community, which led to the formation of ZHI. We had volunteers and organized programs that provided food and medical services to the poor and needy; in total, we had three projects. We were, however, relying on our resources for these projects, which was not very sustainable. It was not the best option to rely on public donations to build and sustain an organization.
We then decided to begin educating people about the SDGs, and in 2019, we became YSDN. We started in high schools, specifically Igbogbi College. Our first project involved about 100 students from three secondary schools. We created four SDG simulations, taught them about them using the design-thinking method, and then asked them to create solutions to problems that arose as a result of these goals. The project's overall goal was to teach students critical thinking skills while also demonstrating to them that they can be problem solvers in their communities. These are real-world issues like waste, energy, and climate change. We also discovered that some of the causes and effects of the larger picture were lost on these students. Specifically, how climate change was affecting many of their activities, and YSDN opened the floodgates to more student solutions to these problems.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, we made the conference virtual. The 2020 conference followed the same format as the 2019 conference. One thing about an organization is that it must always consider how to grow while remaining true to its mandate and objectives, so in 2021, rather than only talking to students, we decided to include initiatives that had already begun. For example, you might have a grassroots organization initiative or an idea that you'd like to pursue and would benefit from additional consultation. That is why, for the 2021 conference, we decided to have both individual delegates and group delegations. We invited delegations from all over the world to consult for them, thereby empowering them in our small way. They brought their business plans, which were reviewed by consultants in those fields, who determined whether the plans were feasible. We did this because we realized that many startups fail within five years, so our goal was to develop methods to ensure that startups, particularly social startups, outlive their mortality age. So, for the 2021 conference, we followed that model. This model was also used in this year's 2022 conference, which was also virtual.
However, one unique aspect of the 2021 conference was the SDG Case Challenge. This challenge was very interesting because we had agreed to have an impromptu discussion with the conference delegates, with the winner receiving sponsorship for their idea, as we were able to do last year. Last year's challenge was won by a man whose project focused on solar energy. The prize was $5,000, which he used to implement the project in Epe, Lagos state. He used the money to buy the technology, which was distributed to local farmers and is still in use today. So you can see that YSDN has gone through several stages in our brief existence. We've had to adapt to the times and seasons in which we find ourselves, but one constant has been our emphasis on youth empowerment. Not only for youth empowerment, but also for youths in communities to consider sustainability and innovative solutions to community problems, and that these projects are sustainable. The most amazing aspect of the 2021 conference was that it was not the result of YSDN's previous dealings, which was very beneficial to us, and we are now planning our 2023 conference.
Apart from these conferences, we collaborate with other organizations involved in consulting or education. We are currently working with an NGO to educate public schools about the SDGs. We also have SDGtal, which was created to combine the SDGs with digital skills. The target audience consisted of students in public schools who had little or no digital literacy; the goal was to introduce them to digital skills while also educating them on the SDGs. We also held a workshop called Young Lawyers for Climate Justice Nigeria in collaboration with the International Climate Change Development Initiative Africa (ICCDIA) to educate law students about their roles in the fight for climate justice.
M: That was extremely insightful. YSDC does a lot in the sustainability space, and it's incredible to see how much it has grown in just four years. Congratulations.
D: Thank you so much.
M: How easily do you think it was for you to enter the sustainability space and make your voice heard, particularly as a young woman?
D: I believe it was my experiences and the places I visited that provided me with the foundation to become the person I am today. For example, at the University of Lagos, I participated in the Lagos Model United Nations, which exposed me to the concepts of sustainability and international relations. I also had NGOs nearby where I could volunteer. So, I believe that your location can play a significant role in gaining access to who you eventually become in life. If you have the necessary knowledge and can express that knowledge in your community, it may benefit you. I also recognize that not everyone has these advantages. Returning to your question, I'll say that it was relatively easy for me to get into the space because I started when I was in university, so I was like fresh blood, and NGOs at the time wanted to have young people on their team. As a result, age played a role. I believe that getting your foot in the door as soon as possible can be advantageous.
Two things stand out in all of this: knowing what you want to do and where you want to be. This is the first step before taking any action to achieve your objectives. I knew I wanted to do something environmental, but I didn't know what, how, or where. I just knew I was interested. That is why it was easier for me to enter the space because I knew exactly what I wanted to be. The second factor is your past experiences and the environment in which you find yourself. I believe that the environment influences about half of whom a person becomes. So, for me, that's why we need an enabling environment, which I'm fighting for. Without an enabling environment, many people will miss out on opportunities that they could have used to become whom they want to be. If you find yourself in an enabling environment where you can thrive, it is now up to you to extend grace to others by inviting them to join you. This is something near and dear to my heart, and it is one of my favourite aspects of YSDN because we address the socioeconomic barriers that people face.
However, entering the field is one thing; remaining on the field is quite another. I began this journey in 2016 and it is now 2022, roughly 6 years. You could start something one day and then abruptly stop, affecting your growth. Consistency is also very important because it will get you very far. I'm not saying it will be easy because you will undoubtedly face challenges, but continuing to put in the effort will have a significant impact on your journey. So, vision plus consistency equals growth.
M: Thank you so much for that. I agree with what you said. Moving on, educate us a bit. What are some of the things we do that add to environmental degradation and climate change?
D: I believe that small things add up to big problems. Many people believe that certain events are insignificant, but there is no denying that they have all contributed to the situation we are now in. For example, you could argue that it has been over-flogged, but littering is a serious issue. That was the impetus for me to pursue my current career. Littering is a major contributor to climate change, particularly non-biodegradable plastics. I believe it goes beyond simply discussing these issues to doing something to effect change. For example, if you want to mitigate the effects of climate change in your community, you should start with things like proper waste disposal, eliminating the use of plastic bottles, and so on. I know these points have been made numerous times, but they are critical. People have studied the causes and effects of these things; for example, with the plastic bottle, they have studied its production, use, and life cycle, which has led to calls to hold plastic bottle manufacturers responsible for the life cycle and disposal. All of these things end up in the oceans, causing havoc and disrupting their cycles, resulting in global warming.
On a larger scale, we have deforestation. Because the environment is so intertwined, it's difficult to separate one part from the others. One of the causes of climate change is the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the environment, which is produced by the combustion of fossil fuels, plant decay, volcanoes, and human and animal breath. Forests typically act as a carbon sink for CO2, meaning that they collect CO2 and provide us with oxygen in return. When you cut down or burn a large area of land, you release CO2 into the environment, which causes climate change. This is why there have been calls for the restoration of these forests, which have been cut down by states for various reasons such as urbanization and so on. Forest depletion also leads to forest fires, as seen in numerous reports from the Amazon rainforest.
This simply demonstrates the environment's biodiversity. So, if you're looking for ways to mitigate climate change, you should start with the one that is relevant to your situation. This could include proper waste disposal, deforestation, and the use of non-renewable energy sources such as fuel, coal, and so on, all of which contribute to air pollution. We do so many things that contribute to climate change, but because we can't address them all at once, we can start small and focus on the ones that directly affect us.
M: Thank you so much for doing so. I promise to consider everything you said on behalf of all Nigerians. My next question is that YSDN was founded about three years ago and has grown significantly in size and reach since then. Were you expecting the growth or were you surprised?
D: We weren't surprised, but we were inspired. That is one of the things for which we should be grateful. I also believe it was because we had the right people on our team. I can't express how grateful I am that we had these people because they essentially got us to where we are now. And I'm not just talking about the board; I'm talking about the entire YSDN team; we have some great people. We also used our existing relationships to get our name in front of more people.
We didn't have a name in 2019 because we had just started. We didn't have a name in 2020, but we kept working hard. We had our big launch during the covid period, which was inspiring and reinforced my earlier statement about simply being in the right place. It was motivating for us to get what we needed when we needed it. Some will say it was luck, but I don't believe so. I believe it was due to consistency. It's like trying to push a stiff object that hasn't been lubricated; it won't move. Those were our 2019/2020 days because it was difficult to rally supporters, and get funding, and partners; however, we were able to gain trust due to our consistency, backstory, and experiences. So, our growth didn't come as a surprise because we knew we'd get there with the right consistency; it was simply inspiring for us.
M: Thank you so much. Are there any upcoming YSDN projects that the public should know about?
D: We have the conference for the following year. We intend to avoid this in Nigeria and are currently working on it. Our previous conferences were held in Nigeria and thus primarily targeted Nigerians. While Nigeria is a part of our focus, it is not our only focus; we also want to expand into other parts of Africa, which is why we plan to move it out of Nigeria next year. We prefer a physical conference to the previous two. This is the primary focus of our efforts in 2023.
M: Asides from YSDN, what else are you currently involved in?
D: I was involved in a project that involved researching the Asian and African sustainability landscapes late last year/early this year. The organization was looking for people in the African and Asian sustainability spaces; we were all invited to share our stories so that the organization could understand the nature of the African and Asian sustainability landscapes. The project's ultimate goal was to create a curriculum from which others could learn.
Recently, I became involved in a Web3 project with a colleague. It still relates to my sustainability experience but in a different context. I started it to learn more about my surroundings because, at the end of the day, I am now incorporating the sustainability mandate into the Web3 space. Companies expanding in that space are now focusing on sustainability on a larger scale, rather than just on the Web3 aspect. It's a learning curve for me, but I'm also excited that sustainability is making inroads into the tech world.
In addition, I spent about 6 months last year working in a solar energy-focused organization. They wanted to sell and install solar panels in people's homes. Their primary focus was on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to reduce their reliance on nonrenewable energy sources. Because of my background in sustainability, I was able to create their Energy Impact Report for that year, which highlights their carbon credit, carbon footprint, and the number of emissions they've been able to reduce with solar panels. That was an interesting project for me because I had never created an Impact Report before; it was also a new experience for me because I had never worked in the energy sector before. As a result, it was instructive for me.
M: Thank you. One thing I've noticed throughout this interview is that you enjoy learning - learning, unlearning, and relearning about topics that interest you. How encouraging have your friends and family been throughout your journey?
D: They have been extremely helpful. My mother is my biggest fan. Even though they don't always understand it because it's not a widely recognized activity, particularly in Nigeria, they've all been extremely supportive. When they see me, they address me as madam sustainability, and it makes me happy that they recognize me in that way. That makes me happy.
M: That’s beautiful, thank you so much. How can the public get involved with your work?
D: Collaborations and partnerships are always welcome. We can't get enough of it. You can also apply to be a delegate or a volunteer for next year's conference. We are not actively seeking volunteers because we recognize that they will eventually become obsolete once they are on board. So, if you apply to be a volunteer, make sure you're fully committed to the cause.
M: Thank you. Any final thoughts?
D: Thank you for conducting this interview. This is greatly appreciated. To the readers, I believe that if you want to start something, you must be consistent. Also, always have faith in yourself and your abilities. I once interviewed someone and told them, "Just keep telling yourself you're awesome." I know there are times when you feel like you're not doing enough or aren't where you should be, but it gets easier. Just keep going and believing in yourself.
M: Yasss. We are awesome. Where can we find you?
D: I’m not so active on these platforms but you can find me on Instagram and Twitter at @duro_fa. If you want to read about my organization, it's @ysdc_official. For my green advocate, my website is www.dgreenadvocate.wordpress.com.
M: Thank you so much for your time and all your insightful answers.
D: Thank you for having me.