Individuals who champion eco-friendly initiatives are becoming more important as environmental sustainability gains priority. Environmentalists are crucial in shaping a sustainable future for generations to come through innovative recycling programs and urban green spaces.
Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola is a Nigerian entrepreneur leading the way in waste management and urban development. Her work with the Lagos-based recycling company ‘Wecyclers’ and her current roles as a leader in environmental conservation efforts have earned her widespread recognition.
Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola
Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola is a Nigerian entrepreneur who has shown remarkable strength, creativity, and dedication to improving society. She founded a recycling company called ‘Wecyclers’ in Lagos and has now taken on significant roles as the Director General of the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB) and Managing Director of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK). Her contributions have had a significant impact on various sectors in Nigeria.
Early Life
Born in 1983 in Lagos, Nigeria, Adebiyi’s educational journey took her from the Supreme Education Foundation secondary school to universities in America. After graduating from Fisk University and earning a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University, she gained valuable experience working for IBM before pursuing further studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.
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Adebiyi’s Wecyclers
Adebiyi, while studying at MIT, came up with the idea for Wecyclers, a recycling business that aims to tackle Lagos’s waste disposal issues. Her innovative strategy encourages households to recycle by providing incentives in the form of rewards for recyclable materials.
Wecyclers was established in 2012 and has since then gained a lot of popularity. It uses modified tricycles to collect household waste and collaborates with organizations such as the Lagos Waste Management Authority. Wecyclers has been instrumental in reducing waste and empowering communities by providing job opportunities and rewards to participating households.
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Taking on New Challenges
Adebiyi, who was previously the CEO of Wecyclers, transitioned to become the Managing Director of LASPARK in 2017. She remains committed to promoting environmental sustainability and urban development in Lagos State, and her efforts have led to positive changes.
Adebiyi’s work has been recognized both locally and internationally. For her contributions to waste management and entrepreneurship, she has received prestigious awards like the Cartier Women’s Initiative Award and the King Baudouin International Development Prize.
Wecyclers’ success is fueled by strategic partnerships with organizations such as FCMB, DHL, Unilever, and MIT Sloan School of Management. These collaborations have enabled Wecyclers to expand its reach and maximize its impact on waste management and environmental conservation in Nigeria.
Adebiyi’s dedication to creating sustainable solutions to pressing societal challenges inspires and paves the way for a more resilient and environmentally conscious future in Nigeria and beyond.