Joshua Gabriel Oluwaseyi
Executive Director
Biography
Joshua Gabriel Oluwaseyi (born November 19, 2000) is a Nigerian climate storyteller and environmentalist who is known for his storytelling for climate justice, gender equality, and individual-led change making. He is the founder and executive director of LEARNBLUE, an international youth-led non-profit organization, a Teen Vogue 21 Under 21 Honoree and Ashoka Climate Changemaker.
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| Born | November 19, 2000 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Alma mater | University of Benin (Nigeria) |
| Occupation | climate activist, storyteller, public speaker |
| Organization | LEARNBLUE, OurAfrican Climate Story |
| Known for | Climate justice |
| Awards | WAFF 3DD Global Teen Leader Doha Debates #SolvingIt Honouree Teen Vogue 21 under 21 |
| Website | joshuaoluwaseyi.com.ng |
Biography
Joshua Gabriel Oluwaseyi (born November 19, 2000) is a Nigerian climate storyteller and environmentalist who is known for his storytelling for climate justice, gender equality, and individual-led change making. He is the founder and executive director of LEARNBLUE, an international youth-led non-profit organization, a Teen Vogue 21 Under 21 Honoree and Ashoka Climate Changemaker.
Early Life and Education
Joshua Gabriel Oluwaseyi was born in Benin City, Nigeria. At the age of eight, he moved to Lagos, where he attended 4th Avenue Primary School, placing second in the Lagos State Spelling Bee Preliminary. He later studied sciences at FESTAC Grammar School, representing his school in over 12 competitions, including spelling bees and debates.
Following his high school graduation in 2018, he took a gap year to establish his nonprofit organization, LEARNBLUE. He has a degree in Statistics at the University of Benin, Nigeria.
Activism
Oluwaseyi’s passion for environmental activism was sparked in 2018 when he was diagnosed with allergies to fumigants and air pollutants. After experiencing tuberculosis-like symptoms due to exposure to fumigants, he began researching the impacts of air pollution on public health. Living in Lagos, a city known for its high levels of traffic congestion and air pollution, he discovered that over 100,000 people in Nigeria die annually from air pollution-related causes. This realization led him to launch the #ForACleanerLagos campaign in 2019, which went viral on Nigerian Twitter, reaching over 1.5 million users in one week. The campaign evolved into a cleanup series that recycled over 40,000 pounds of plastic waste from drainage systems, waterways, and roadsides.
Oluwaseyi’s passion for environmental activism was sparked in 2018 when he was diagnosed with allergies to fumigants and air pollutants. After experiencing tuberculosis-like symptoms due to exposure to fumigants, he began researching the impacts of air pollution on public health. Living in Lagos, a city known for its high levels of traffic congestion and air pollution, he discovered that over 100,000 people in Nigeria die annually from air pollution-related causes. This realization led him to launch the #ForACleanerLagos campaign in 2019, which went viral on Nigerian Twitter, reaching over 1.5 million users in one week. The campaign evolved into a cleanup series that recycled over 40,000 pounds of plastic waste from drainage systems, waterways, and roadsides.
Professional Engagements
In 2019, Oluwaseyi founded LEARNBLUE, an international youth-led nonprofit dedicated to inspiring young people to take action on climate justice, pollution, and sustainability. LEARNBLUE focuses on grassroots mobilization, education, and advocacy, working towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 13 (Climate Action), and 14 (Life Below Water).
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| Born | November 19, 2000 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Alma mater | University of Benin (Nigeria) |
| Occupation | climate activist, storyteller, public speaker |
| Organizations | LEARNBLUE, OurAfrican Climate Story |
| Known for | Climate justice |
| Awards | WAFF 3DD Global Teen Leader Doha Debates #SolvingIt Honouree Teen Vogue 21 under 21 |
| Website | joshuaoluwaseyi.com.ng |
Inspired by Vanessa Nakate, a fellow Ugandan climate activist, Morris began participating in school strikes and joined the Rise Up Movement as a social media manager and climate justice advocate. His activism gained international attention, with features in prominent news outlets such as BBC, CBC, and CNN.
Professional Engagements
In 2019, Oluwaseyi founded LEARNBLUE, an international youth-led nonprofit dedicated to inspiring young people to take action on climate justice, pollution, and sustainability. LEARNBLUE focuses on grassroots mobilization, education, and advocacy, working towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 13 (Climate Action), and 14 (Life Below Water).
Through LEARNBLUE, he has led several high-impact projects, including amplifying the #AmazonFire campaign, which aimed to raise global awareness about the Amazon Rainforest fires. The campaign gathered over 4,000 petition signatures and reached more than 150,000 people on social media. LEARNBLUE also expanded the #ForACleanerLagos initiative into the nationwide #ForACleanerNation campaign, spreading across six Nigerian states. His work has mobilized youth participation in environmental conservation and driven policy discussions on pollution and sustainability.
Through LEARNBLUE, he has led several high-impact projects, including amplifying the #AmazonFire campaign, which aimed to raise global awareness about the Amazon Rainforest fires. The campaign gathered over 4,000 petition signatures and reached more than 150,000 people on social media. LEARNBLUE also expanded the #ForACleanerLagos initiative into the nationwide #ForACleanerNation campaign, spreading across six Nigerian states. His work has mobilized youth participation in environmental conservation and driven policy discussions on pollution and sustainability.
Leadership
Oluwaseyi’s work in climate storytelling and activism has earned him recognition as a Teen Vogue 21 Under 21 Honoree. He has participated in key environmental forums, including delivering keynotes at the Youth Forum on Chemicals Governance, and the Global Impact Conference, contributing to global discussions on climate action and sustainability. His leadership in environmental advocacy has positioned him as a key voice in youth-led climate initiatives, with LEARNBLUE continuing to engage young people worldwide in environmental conservation efforts.
Beyond his nonprofit work, Oluwaseyi has been involved in policy engagement, communications consulting, storytelling for climate justice, and mobilizing grassroots efforts to address environmental challenges. His initiatives emphasize the role of individual-led actions in catalyzing systemic change for a more sustainable future.
Joshua Oluwaseyi Speaking
Oluwaseyi is an experienced climate storyteller and public speaker, giving keynotes, leading workshops, and joining panels on some of the world’s biggest stages such as Global Impact Conference, African Youth Climate Assembly, Youth Forum on Chemicals Governance, World Bank Planet Forum and more.
Oluwaseyi has been featured in or interviewed across several media platforms and international non-governmental organisations, from Teen Vogue, BBC World Service, Pluc TV, to National History Museum, IISD’s Earth Negotiations Bulletin, United Nations Development Program, and more.
