Dr. Adenike Adebukola Akinsemolu is an award-winning Nigerian environmental microbiologist, educator, sustainability advocate, and social entrepreneur, whose work is redefining the role of education, science, and youth engagement in Africa’s sustainability movement. As one of the continent’s leading voices for green innovation and environmental justice, she has made remarkable contributions to climate science, environmental education, and the empowerment of underrepresented groups—especially women and youth.

Dr. Akinsemolu holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Microbiology from the Federal University of Technology, Nigeria, a Master’s in Environmental Microbiology from Babcock University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from Obafemi Awolowo University. Her academic training merges scientific rigor with a deep commitment to pedagogy, equipping her to lead at the intersection of research, learning, and sustainable development.

In 2015, she founded the Green Campus Initiative (GCI), Nigeria’s first campus-based environmental advocacy organization, which promotes eco-conscious behavior among students and institutions. GCI has reached thousands of young people through campaigns focused on waste reduction, renewable energy, green mobility, and environmental policy education. The initiative evolved into the Green Institute, a research and training hub offering Africa-centric academic programs in sustainability science and social innovation. Among its groundbreaking projects is the “Trash for Education” program, which enables students to offset school tuition by exchanging recyclable waste—addressing both environmental degradation and access to education.

Dr. Akinsemolu is the Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham’s Department of Chemical Engineering and a Senior Research Fellow at Afe Babalola University. Her research explores the role of microorganisms in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the impact of pollution on food systems and ecosystems, and the vulnerability of women to climate change—especially in Nigeria’s coastal and low-income communities.

She was appointed a Lead Author for the United Nations Environment Programme’s Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7), contributing scientific insights to one of the world’s most authoritative environmental assessments. She is also a Chevening Alumna, a Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society, and a member of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).

Her work has garnered global recognition, including the Robert Bosch Stiftung Young Researcher Award, the Nigeria Energy Award for Energy Efficiency and Advocacy, and most recently, in 2024, her selection as a Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s Residency Programme in Germany—a prestigious honor that highlights her ongoing leadership in global environmental discourse.

Beyond her academic and research endeavors, Dr. Akinsemolu is a passionate gender advocate. She is the founder of The Girl Prize, a scholarship and mentorship program for Nigerian secondary school girls interested in science and environmental careers. She believes that empowering women and girls is essential for solving the planet’s most urgent challenges.

As an author, Dr. Akinsemolu has contributed widely to journals and thought leadership platforms. Her book, The Principles of Green and Sustainability Science, is the first to provide a comprehensive, Africa-centered framework for sustainable development, combining scientific insight with practical action.

Through her work as an educator, changemaker, and thought leader, Dr. Adenike Akinsemolu continues to inspire a generation of environmental stewards, disruptors, and innovators. Her career is a testament to the power of knowledge, inclusion, and courage in building a just and sustainable future for Africa and the world.