January 19, 2022

Meet Olumide Idowu, a.k.a 'Mr. Climate'

International Climate Change Development Initiative, a non-government institution raising a climate-smart generation in Africa. He is a 2018 alumnus of the U.S. Department of State's International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). Read on to learn how Olumide’s exchange influenced his life and career path, how he’s paying it forward, and how he got the nickname “Mr. Climate.”

What exchange program did you participate in, and what was the highlight of your experience – were there any key learnings you gained?

I participated in the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation 2018. The exchange was majorly focused on how local and regional land-use practices protect biodiversity while supporting economic growth, development and tourism that benefit local communities. 

My visit to Miami, Florida was overwhelmingly impactful. I saw in practice many things that I had only read and talked about in environment sustainability. My IVLP group was welcomed to Miami by Global Ties Miami. Our visit to the Miami Waterkeepers was full of learning opportunities. It was great to learn about protecting and preserving South Florida's watershed through citizens' participation. Our conversation with Charles Kropke at Global Ties Miami was my highlight. I got vital insights into using citizen engagement and community actions for environmental sustainability. This knowledge exchange has informed a significant part of what I do through the International Climate Change Development Initiative. We also saw the screening of the movie, “Battleground Everglades.” The film was about the struggle to save the world's most revered wetlands. We also had a community volunteer program to clean a beachfront with a local organization in Miami.

How did you get the nickname, ‘Mr. Climate?’

I was known for talking about climate issues way back at the university, and, fortunately for me, I was able to attend some open hearings at the National Assembly. During this period I asked questions related to climate issues, and people would say, “Mr Climate, you have the floor.” Suddenly, everyone started calling me Mr. Climate, and I decided to make that a brand.

What is the most significant change you have experienced in your personal and professional life due to participating in the exchange program?

The IVLP program is a rich and once-in-a-lifetime experience. It helped clarify my professional goals and set my career priorities as an environmentalist. This clarity remains my biggest takeaway from the program. Another thing that made the program remarkable was the people I met, from the program coordinators to the participants and everyone we met along the way; the human interactions gave me a deep understanding of diversity and why it matters. I spent three weeks with 20 strangers who have now become friends. I got to know myself better, nurtured knowledge, and expanded my dreams.

How are you paying forward the impact of the USG exchange program on your personal and professional career? 

Since my return from the IVLP program, I have trained and engaged over 5,000 young people in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. I aim to position these young people for economic opportunities in environmental sustainability while equipping them to take responsibility for the environment. I have also represented Nigerian youth at several climate change conferences worldwide, including the recently concluded United Nations Conference on Climate Change, Conference of Parties, COP 26, in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

What fun or unexpected thing did you experience during your exchange program? 

I visited one of California's private and oldest islands, the Heal the Bay Lab. We also visited the Joshua Tree National Park and went on a boat cruise to the Catalina Island Conservancy. Visiting these places helped me learn about the threats to native and wildlife, ecotourism policies, and how to enable economic success while preserving the natural environment.

What was the impact of your IVLP? Did you receive any awards, scholarships, recognition, or promotion as a result of the USG exchange program? 

I have done more impactful work since completing my IVLP program. I became the Youth Focal Point for the National Steering Committee Member on the Small Grant Project for UNDP Nigeria. In this role, I review the proposals submitted by Civil Society Organizations for GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Nigeria. I also became the Youth Lead Author of UNEP's Global Environmental Outlook (GEO6). I joined the World Green Growth Organization as a Board Member. My organization now has a partnership with the Netherland government for five years’ funding support to train 10,000 youth across Nigeria. In addition, I got into the Atlas Corps international exchange program in the United States.