Through the Teens and Youth in Leadership (TYIL) initiative, Dr. Israel Oyedare is inspiring a generation of young Africans to take charge of their future. His unique approach fuses leadership education with climate change awareness, empowering teens and youth to become proactive agents of environmental transformation. In this exclusive Nature News interview, Dr. Oyedare discusses how TYIL is shaping the next generation of climate champions in Nigeria and beyond.
Could you begin by telling us about your personal journey into leadership and what inspired you to establish Teens and Youth in Leadership (TYIL)?
My leadership journey began early in primary school. I discovered fulfillment in helping others recognize and develop their potential. One memorable incident involved giving a friend a cardboard house to wire with electricity — that small act revealed to me the power of creating opportunities for others.
Years later, this instinct evolved into a calling. I founded TYIL to help Africans understand leadership as a teachable subject and empower young people to become community changemakers.
TYIL has trained and mentored thousands of young people across Africa. Why do you believe leadership education is so critical for Africa’s youth today?
Africa’s challenge isn’t a lack of talent, but a lack of structured leadership education. Leadership should go beyond theory — it must build analytical and problem-solving capacity. Before leaving Nigeria for my Ph.D. in Leadership Studies, I realized this gap and made it my mission to fill it.
If Africa is to reach her full potential, we must equip our youth to think critically, act decisively, and lead with vision.
Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our generation. How does TYIL weave climate awareness and environmental sustainability into its leadership training?
We treat climate change as a “wicked problem” that demands creative leadership. TYIL’s six-week climate program helps students turn waste into reusable materials — for instance, transforming plastic bottles into chairs.
We also partner with the University of Lagos Sustainable Development Advocates Group to teach students to build windmills from recyclables. Climate clubs are established in schools to sustain advocacy and innovation.
Can you share examples of how TYIL participants have applied their leadership skills in climate-related issues?
Many have gone on to pursue climate-focused research and return as facilitators. One graduate even wrote her undergraduate thesis on using theatre for climate advocacy — a creative offshoot of our leadership sessions. These ripple effects confirm that empowered youth become innovators and community builders.
TYIL’s Leadership Development Model has been recognized globally. How does this model transform young people into climate champions?
Our model rests on four pillars — Education, Empowerment, Collaboration, and Community.
We start with education, then offer practical empowerment through projects and teamwork. Collaboration helps participants connect with others, and community instills a shared sense of mission. This framework ensures youth see themselves as part of a larger climate movement, not isolated actors.
What is your long-term vision for TYIL regarding climate action and leadership education?
My vision is for TYIL to grow into a pan-African leadership institute — a hub where young people learn, innovate, and tackle pressing issues like climate change. I want leadership education to be accessible to all, not just a privilege for a few. Climate action will always remain at the heart of that mission.
Conclusion
Dr. Israel Oyedare’s passion for leadership and environmental sustainability demonstrates how education can spark real change. By connecting climate awareness with leadership values, TYIL continues to raise a generation of Africans ready to lead with purpose, innovation, and responsibility.
Tags: #ClimateChange #YouthLeadership #Education #Sustainability #Nigeria #TYIL #Environment #Inspiration
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