Wole Adedoyin interviews Ajayi Olayinka: Environmental Degradation is a Silent Crisis Affecting Millions in Africa, yet it’s Often Overlooked in Human Rights Discourse

WA: CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR ACADEMIC BACKGROUND?
AJAYI: My name is Ajayi Olayinka James, and I am a final-year Law student at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. I am deeply committed to advocacy, environmental justice, and sustainable development. Alongside my studies, I have gained practical experience through journalism and student leadership. My coursework in Human Rights Law, Constitutional Law, Law of Torts, and Environmental Law has fueled my interest in human rights discourse and environmental advocacy. I have also completed internships at law firms specializing in litigation, where I actively contributed to cases and observed constitutional and human rights procedures in action.

WA: HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS INTER-UNIVERSITY ESSAY COMPETITION?
AJAYI: I found out about the competition through a post on the official WhatsApp page of the Law Students’ Essay Group in Nigeria.

WA: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMPETITION?
AJAYI: My commitment to environmental justice and belief in the power of storytelling as a tool for advocacy motivated me. I have observed how environmental pollution, largely caused by human activities, threatens ecosystems while many remain unaware of its dangers. The need to sensitize the public on their rights and available remedies inspired me to lend my voice through this competition.

WA: WHAT SPECIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE DID YOU ADDRESS IN YOUR ESSAY?
AJAYI: I focused on environmental rights violations caused by multinational corporations in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, and the relentless struggle for justice by affected communities.

WA: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC?
AJAYI: Environmental degradation is a silent crisis impacting millions across Africa, yet it is often absent from mainstream human rights discussions. Communities continue to suffer without effective remedies, while pollutants destroy ecosystems. This is an urgent issue that demands action through advocacy, litigation, negotiation, and every other available means.

WA: CAN YOU SUMMARIZE THE KEY ARGUMENT OR MESSAGE OF YOUR ESSAY?
AJAYI: My central argument is that environmental rights are human rights. True justice must empower affected communities while holding violators accountable through legal, social, and institutional measures.

WA: HOW DID YOUR ACADEMIC STUDIES INFLUENCE THE APPROACH YOU TOOK IN WRITING YOUR ESSAY?
AJAYI: My legal training helped me adopt a structured, analytical approach. I examined existing legal frameworks, identified systemic flaws, and proposed rights-based solutions. Through academic research and writing, I was able to critically analyze the issues and suggest practical remedies.

WA: WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU ENCOUNTER WHILE RESEARCHING OR WRITING YOUR ESSAY?
AJAYI: The biggest challenge was simplifying complex legal and environmental concepts into an engaging narrative without compromising accuracy. Studying real cases of environmental pollution in different African countries and proposing solutions that could work despite varied legal systems and cultures was also demanding.

WA: HOW HAS PARTICIPATING IN THIS COMPETITION SHAPED YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES IN AFRICA?
AJAYI: It broadened my understanding of how environmental injustice intersects with poverty, illiteracy, poor governance, and lack of accountability. I realized that environmental pollution is a global problem, but African countries bear a heavier burden due to lower levels of education and limited human rights awareness. Unfortunately, government inaction often forces citizens to fight these battles on their own.

WA: IN YOUR OPINION, HOW IMPORTANT ARE ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS LIKE THIS IN RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS?
AJAYI: They are extremely important. Such competitions sharpen critical thinking, amplify student voices, and connect academic work with real-world advocacy on pressing human rights issues.

WA: DID THE COMPETITION ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT THE ROLE OF STUDENTS IN ADVANCING HUMAN RIGHTS CAUSES?
AJAYI: Yes. It reaffirmed my belief that students are powerful agents of change. Beyond government and policymakers, citizens—especially youths—have a role to play in promoting, respecting, and protecting human rights through research, advocacy, and community engagement.

WA: WERE THERE ANY ENTRIES OR TOPICS FROM OTHER PARTICIPANTS THAT PARTICULARLY RESONATED WITH YOU?
AJAYI: Yes. Topics such as access to education, freedom of expression, youth empowerment, and political participation resonated strongly. They connect with environmental justice and highlight grassroots resistance to injustice, revealing shared struggles across African communities.

WA: HOW DO YOU PLAN TO USE THE KNOWLEDGE GAINED FROM THIS COMPETITION MOVING FORWARD?
AJAYI: I will continue to write, advocate, and mentor others on using law and media for environmental and social justice. I also plan to work with governmental and non-governmental organizations to promote public awareness on issues such as education, clean environments, human rights, and mental health, aligning these efforts with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

WA: WHAT ROLE DO YOU BELIEVE UNIVERSITIES SHOULD PLAY IN PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION ACROSS AFRICA?
AJAYI: Universities should integrate human rights education into all academic curricula, regardless of discipline. They should encourage research, foster debate, and support student-led advocacy initiatives.

WA: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE COMPETING WITH STUDENTS FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE CONTINENT?
AJAYI: It was both inspiring and enriching. The diversity and depth of commitment among young African scholars to justice was motivating, and exchanging ideas with fellow human rights enthusiasts was deeply rewarding.

WA: WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE YOUR ESSAY WILL HAVE ON READERS AND POLICYMAKERS?
AJAYI: I hope it fosters empathy, sparks policy reforms, and strengthens the enforcement of environmental and human rights laws across Africa.

WA: HOW DO YOU THINK YOUNG AFRICAN SCHOLARS CAN CONTRIBUTE MORE EFFECTIVELY TO THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS?
AJAYI: By engaging in rigorous research, grassroots activism, strategic litigation, and using media to amplify marginalized voices.

WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE ENTRANTS OF THIS COMPETITION?
AJAYI: Choose a topic you are passionate about, research thoroughly, and write with conviction and clarity. Avoid bias and approach your subject with objectivity.

WA: BEYOND WRITING, IN WHAT OTHER WAYS DO YOU ADVOCATE FOR OR SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
AJAYI: I mentor students and organize sensitization outreach programs in my community. I also attend seminars, workshops, and conferences focused on human rights discourse.

WA: WHAT ARE YOUR ACADEMIC OR CAREER ASPIRATIONS AFTER THIS COMPETITION, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO HUMAN RIGHTS?
AJAYI: I plan to pursue advanced studies in environmental and human rights law. My career goal is to work in policy-making and advocacy institutions to influence legal reforms in Africa. I also intend to engage in human rights litigation and practice.

Ajayi Olayinka James, a final-year Law student at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, is the second-prize winner of the recently concluded African Human Rights Inter-University Essay Competition. Passionate about advocacy, environmental justice, and sustainable development, he has experience in journalism and student leadership. His academic background includes courses in Human Rights Law, Constitutional Law, Law of Torts, and Environmental Law, equipping him with the knowledge and drive to champion human rights and environmental causes. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, Ajayi shares insights into his work, passion for environmental activism, and vision for a more just Africa.