Kikelomo Lawal shares her journey from educational setbacks to becoming a Cityzens Run Leader with UrbanBetter, highlighting the essential role of youth engagement in advocating for sustainable, non-motorized transport solutions in urban environments.
My journey has been anything but a straight line. It began with a series of setbacks that shook my confidence in education. Writing the JAMB exam multiple times was disheartening, with each failure making me question whether pursuing formal education was even worth it. At one point, I found myself feeling completely lost and ready to give up.
In my search for a path that resonated with me, I explored various vocations—make-up, catering, nails, and tailoring—hoping one of them would be the right fit. Yet, each time I became overwhelmed by the stress, and none of these trades aligned with the lifestyle I envisioned. Ultimately, I decided to give up on all of them, realizing they weren’t the right choices for me.
It wasn’t until I hit a low point that I decided to take my life seriously. I needed to stand out and find something that would give me a sense of purpose. That’s when my sister introduced me to tech. At first, I had no clear direction, but I was intrigued and somewhat overwhelmed by the incoming “TECH SIS” name. It felt like everything around me was synchronizing with my thoughts and aspirations. I watched a movie where a girl confidently worked on her laptop, juggling tasks with ease. That image stuck with me and led me to believe that front-end development was the answer. In hindsight, it was cybersecurity that truly fascinated me, but at that moment, front-end development seemed like the path forward.
Diving into front-end development was both exciting and terrifying. I didn’t have a clear vision of what I wanted from it, but it brought me a sense of pride. When I shared with others that I was learning it, they looked at me differently, with newfound respect. Even my friends began to see me in a new light, which boosted my confidence.
However, the journey wasn’t smooth. I started with HTML and CSS, and for a while, it felt like I had found my groove. But then JavaScript entered the picture, and everything changed. JavaScript was a beast that tested my limits, bringing countless challenges—frustration, tears, moments of doubt, and even a crashed laptop. There were times when I was ready to throw in the towel, but with the support of the tech community around me, I persevered.
Despite my progress in front-end development, I still craved something more. I wanted to stand out, to make an impact, to be seen and heard—but I wasn’t sure how to achieve it or what path to take.
Not long after, my sister asked me to fill out a form. Although I didn’t fully understand its significance at the time, it turned out to be a stepping stone toward greater opportunities. That link led me to UrbanBetter, an Africa-led global social venture with a mission to accelerate healthy, sustainable development in cities. I applied and was selected as one of the 10 Cityzens Run Leaders.
The Cityzens pillar of UrbanBetter is a tech-enabled, youth-led, data-driven advocacy movement dedicated to equipping and connecting young people. Through physical activity and citizen science, we aim to create healthy places and enhance youth participation in decisions that shape the future of our cities.
Joining UrbanBetter as a Cityzens Run Leader opened the door for me to actively engage in meaningful projects and initiatives. It wasn’t just about being part of a team; it was about joining a movement that aligned with my desire to make a difference. Through my involvement, I’ve had the opportunity to organize events, measure air quality, and represent UrbanBetter in key climate forums, all while helping to shape the future of sustainable cities.
One of the key partnerships UrbanBetter has is with Children Cities and Climate (CCC). Together, we organized a workshop that brought together bright and passionate youth, leading to the creation of four focus groups that address major contributors to climate pollution: Active Transport, Second Life Squad, Cooking Coalition, and Breathing Spaces.
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Active Transport is one of these groups, dedicated to promoting eco-friendly transportation methods such as walking, cycling, and using public transport. The goal is to reduce reliance on cars, which are significant sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The relationship between active transport and climate change is direct—by encouraging people to adopt more sustainable transportation options, we can cut down on carbon emissions, improve air quality, and ultimately help slow the effects of climate change.
But the benefits of active transport extend beyond just environmental improvements. It is also incredibly beneficial to our health. Walking and cycling reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and other lifestyle-related illnesses while simultaneously enhancing mental well-being. It’s a win-win situation: we not only help protect the planet but also improve our personal health in the process.
Building on this foundation, I continued my work as a climate advocate by organizing and leading various activities. For instance, I took charge of a community run to raise awareness for clean air, where we also measured air quality, engaging the community in vital climate conversations. My journey has taken me to numerous conferences, allowing me to meet, discuss, and learn from respected stakeholders in the climate space, as well as decision-makers in government.
One of the pivotal moments in my advocacy work was representing UrbanBetter at the National Adaptation Plan Process in Nigeria. During this engagement, I contributed significantly to discussions on critical climate issues, including the extreme weather patterns affecting cities like Lagos. I raised concerns about how these changes impact vulnerable groups—women, youth, and marginalized communities—who often bear the brunt of climate-related challenges. We then discussed the devastating effects of extreme heat, among other pressing climate concerns, and explored strategies to build resilience.
As I reflect on my journey, I am grateful for the opportunities that have allowed me to contribute to climate advocacy and community engagement. Through active transport and collaborative efforts, we can foster healthier environments and empower those most affected by climate change.
Together, we can drive meaningful change and build resilient, sustainable cities for future generations.
