Tackling a Growing Plastic Waste Crisis
Mariam Lawani is an award-winning environmental enthusiast. She founded Greenhill Recycling, a social enterprise addressing poverty, unemployment, and climate change challenges using recyclable plastic waste as the currency to exchange value. She is also a proud alumna of the U.S. State Department program, Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), and the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, and Fate Foundation. Mariam leads social and environmental impact interventions to reduce health risks in underserved communities. Her work and impact have enjoyed attention from national and global media publications such as CNN, Lioness of Africa, and Empower Africa. She holds an MBA from the African Leadership University School of Business and several qualifying certificates in Social Entrepreneurship from Pan Atlantic University (Lagos Business School).
Read on to find out how Mariam’s exchange experience influenced her career and life path, and how her social enterprise is tackling the growing plastic waste crisis and unemployment in Lagos, Nigeria.
Can you share the highlight of your experience and key learnings from the program that you participated in?
Participating in CYFI was an invaluable experience that gave me essential skills like project management and teamwork. The Covid-19 pandemic challenges during my fellowship year forced my team to adapt and complete our project electronically. However, with unwavering resilience, focus, and exceptional teamwork, we created a truly memorable and successful project. The impact of our work is evident through the numerous testimonials from beneficiaries who secured international job opportunities. The fellowship year was truly remarkable.
My participation in AWE in 2022 taught me the importance of grit and focus. It was an intensive experience like a mini MBA, pushing me to my limits and helping me develop invaluable qualities. The closing ceremony and access to mentors were undoubtedly the highlights of the program. Meeting inspirational and exceptional women who were making a significant impact across the country left a lasting impression on me. Through both exchange programs, I forged meaningful connections that enriched my professional network and increased my net worth.
What is the most significant change you have experienced in your personal and professional life as a result of participating in the exchange program?
CYFI brought about a transformative change in my life, primarily through a referral from one of my team members. This referral led me to the Orange Corners Incubation Program, which provided the crucial funding my business needed to thrive. Without this timely support, my company would have faced closure. The opportunity afforded by the program has been instrumental in continued growth and success. I am immensely grateful for the positive impact CYFI has had on my entrepreneurial journey.
How are you paying forward the impact of the USG exchange program on your personal and professional career?
In November 2022, Greenhill Recycling organized a wellness and welfare training program for over 50 women. As part of the program, the team conducted thorough medical check-ups to identify the risks of pelvic and breast cancer. The project was executed with Dr. Maymunah Kadiri from Pinnacle Medical Centre and a representative from Lafiami Health Technology. Together, we engaged in extensive discussions about women’s mental health concerns. Moreover, we ensured that some participants received comprehensive health insurance coverage for one year. In addition to my involvement in Greenhill Recycling, I mentor CYFI fellows within the Environment and Economic Empowerment Team. It is a rewarding experience to guide and support these talented individuals in their professional growth. Furthermore, I inspired and engaged with a workshop attended by over 600 young girls on the International Day of the Girl Child. What fun or unexpected thing did you experience during your exchange program? Oh! COVID!!!! Covid happened during my CYFI year. It was unexpected and had never happened before. We had to learn new ways of working and still maintained our end goal, and the outcome was very impressive.
List any awards, scholarships, recognition, or promotion that you have received as a result of the impact of the USG exchange program on your personal or professional life.
I was recognized as one of the Top 100 young African conservation leaders in 2021 and awarded Woman of the Year by Her Network in the same year. In 2022, I received the Royal African Young Leadership Forum Award from His Imperial Majesty, Oni of Ife.
This interview was originally published in the Nigerian Alumni in Action newsletter.