Borokinni Joshua

Borokinni Joshua is a Nigerian climate activist, development campaigner, and writer who believes in sustainable development that is founded on inclusivity, equality, and justice for all, including the planet. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physiology from the University of Benin and serves as the Head of Research at LearnBlue Global, where he coordinates evidence-based policy and program design.

Over the past three years, his professional work has been at the intersection of awareness-raising, policy design, and implementation of inclusive and participatory programs for African communities that are vulnerable to the adversity of climate change.  This interest stemmed from his first-year experience staying in the University hostel. This experience exposed him to the relatively low environmental consciousness in Nigerian youths, and thus, he became motivated to do something about it. After two years of contemplating the possibility of being involved in activism while still studying, he kicked off the #SafeClimate4Africa campaign (October 2017).  Since then, Joshua has gone on to organize/co-organize the Cambridge Climate Lecture West Africa Screening (2018), #ForACleanerLagos campaign (2019), #AmazonFire campaign (2019), and most recently, #SaveMauritiusReef campaign (2020). These campaigns have reached over 3 million people and resulted in several on-ground interventions, including the cleanup of a 20-tonnes waste settlement, increased commitment to climate action from young Africans, and greener production and consumption patterns.

Since joining LearnBlue as a policy analyst and researcher, Joshua has shifted his focus from simply raising awareness to examining how specific programs, policies, and governance systems enhance or restrict climate action, employing participatory action research, policy analysis, and design of the best fit program(s) to push for people-centered and evidence-based programs and policies. This role has seen him contribute to the National Youth Climate Action Strategy, Nigeria’s COP 25 & 26 pre and post consultative forum, as well as bilateral climate initiatives between the UK and Nigeria through Resilient40 and the British High Commission. He has also been recognized as a  40under40 Africa climate champion, Youth in Landscape Fellow, Clinton Global Initiative University ambassador, European Development Days Young Leader, and a delegate to the International Congress of Youth Voices.

Borokinni Joshua has also graced several local and international stages to spread his message of environmental justice, including but not limited to; the Global Landscape Forum, DW Africa, Illustoria magazine, The Guardian Newspaper, and the Next leaders’ initiative for sustainability.

Ultimately, Joshua envisions leaving the world knowing that he contributed his all to advancing carbon neutrality, clean energy, and climate action, such that his children and grandchildren will be proud to call Earth their home.