It started with a question.
‘What does it mean to go green?’
It was answered with blank stares and confusion.
But for Adenike Akinsemolu, it jumpstarted a movement.
Sitting in a class with her students and discussing environmentalism in a rural community college, Adenike was shocked by how unaware her otherwise intelligent students were about issues of sustainability in their own country. As an educator and passionate green advocate, Adenike saw this as an opportunity to directly engage with this lack of knowledge in her students and others on campuses across the country.
Instead of just talking about the issues, Adenike knew that action was needed. And who better to take action than the next generation of leaders? Her vision was simple: create a network of passionate, energetic, and well-educated university students who could return to their own campuses and engage their peers in the work needed to make Nigeria green again.
2015
In April 2015, Adenike began recruiting and training her first cohort of green ambassadors on the Adeyemi College campus. In June, the first Annual Green Series seminar and community service event was held. And in July, Adeyemi College was recognized for its innovative model and awarded two distinguished Green Awards at the Fourth Annual Green Campuses Conference in South Africa. As the movement grew, Adenike continued to make an impact. In October 2015, she won the Nigeria Energy Award for Energy Efficiency and Advocacy, and was appointed to the National Steering Committee of the Sustainable Energy Practitioners Association of Nigeria. And in November, the Green Center celebrated its official opening. Over the next few years, the Green Institute continued to expand its focus and efforts to promote sustainability.
2016
The Institute launched a campaign to raise awareness about climate change and advocate for the adoption of sustainable energy sources.
2017
The Green Institute became a registered organization in Nigeria and began hosting seminars and workshops on a variety of sustainability-related topics. Prof. Damilola S. Olawuyi became the first president of the Green Institute.
2018
The Green Institute turned its attention to plastic pollution, launching a campaign to reduce single-use plastics and promoting the use of reusable containers and bags. The following year, the organization partnered with local organizations to launch initiatives aimed at protecting and preserving Nigeria's biodiversity, including reforestation efforts and conservation campaigns.
2019
The Institute partnered with local organizations to launch initiatives aimed at protecting and preserving Nigeria's biodiversity, including reforestation efforts and conservation campaigns.
2020
The Green Institute became a registered 501(c)(3) organization in the United States, allowing it to go global in its efforts to promote sustainability. The organization also hosted a virtual World Environment Day Conference, with hundreds of sustainability experts in attendance, including Jeffrey Sachs. Adenike Akinsemolu also launched her book, "The Principles of Green and Sustainability Science", published by Springer, which focuses on achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The organization also launched the World Sustainability Conference and the Green Room, a platform for experts and leaders to reflect, connect, and share ideas.
2021
The Green Institute launched a program to promote sustainable agriculture practices, including the use of organic fertilizers and the adoption of regenerative farming techniques.
Looking to the future, the Green Institute remains committed to driving progress on a range of environmental issues and promoting sustainable development.
2022
The Institute focused on advocating for stronger building codes and the adoption of resilient infrastructure in response to the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters. The Institute also worked actively in coastal regions of Nigeria, investigating the effects of climate change in the region and the vulnerability of women to these effects.
As we move into 2023, the Green Institute continues to expand its reach and impact, collaborating with a growing network of partners around the world to make a positive difference for the planet and its people. The organization remains committed to its three pillars of education, advocacy, and innovation, and continues to conduct research in its thematic focus areas of education, environment, energy, equity, and economics. The Green Institute has trained over 25,000 sustainability leaders, hosted over 100 events, and taken over 2,500 pledges to promote sustainability, making a significant impact on the world through its efforts.