Smithsonian features ‘ change-making journey’ of OH Super Squad Leader Oluwaseyi Moejoh

Oluwaseyi Moejoh has given inspiration to her fellow Ocean Heroes as a Super Squad Leader. Now, her work has become the focus of a recent Smithsonian Magazine feature.

In the July article, Seyi speaks on her desire to improve the dire problem with Member States of the UN having struggled to meet targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015. A student in Nigeria recognized this dire problem of unmanaged waste in Nigeria. She became a Ocean Heroes Squad Leader in 2020 and continues to be an essential part of the program.

Oluwaseyi Moejoh cleaning up the beach as founder of U-recycle Initiative Africa

In several Nigerian communities, people live surrounded by improperly managed waste. Poor waste management systems have been a prevalent problem for decades, which has devastating effects on public health and the environment.

My change-making journey started while I was at High School as a 16-year-old in Grade 11. I was selected as the 2017 Global Goal Six Ambassador at The Neo Child Initiative Africa (TNCI) and engaged over 2,000 girls at my school on SDGs, sanitation, and recycling projects.

Oluwaseyi Moejoh

Seyi founded U-recycle Initiative Africa in 2018 with just a $200 mini-grant. The goal was to inspire people to become more concerned about how their actions can pollute or protect the environment.

In several Nigerian communities, people live surrounded by improperly managed waste. Poor waste management systems have been a prevalent problem for decades, which has devastating effects on public health and the environment.

Oluwaseyi Moejoh

Today, Seyi has engaged more than 5,000 youth in her efforts to combat polluted oceans, threatened ecosystems, death of marine creatures, mass extinction of marine biodiversity, extreme waste dumping, clogged drains, flooding and the harsh effects of these on vulnerable communities.

Read more about the National Geographic Young Explorer and current law student.