Tariq Lawal is a multiple award-winning, multifaceted creative, artivist, changemaker, civic media practitioner, and budding social entrepreneur from Lagos, Nigeria. He is deeply committed to making a difference in his local community, Lagos Island, and the world at large. In the fall of 2023, Tariq took to the streets of Lagos Island to raise awareness about social and environmental issues. The story of his public demonstration was even featured by UNICEF during COP28. Since then, he has been dedicated to community organizing and youth mobilization.
Often referring to himself as an angelic troublemaker, he challenges injustice through bold action, creativity, and unconventional expression, using art as a powerful tool to spotlight pressing local and global issues. Tariq passionately advocates for people and the planet. His work spans movements and youth-led initiatives, with efforts deeply rooted in advancing social justice, environmental conservation, digital wellness, gender equality, human rights, and collective well-being.
Recognized as the most accomplished and globally awarded teenager in Nigeria and one of the most in Africa, he is a UNICEF Nigeria Young Influencer, UNODC Nigeria Young Wildlife Influencer, The Earth Prize African Scholar, and a 4Ocean Wavemaker. He is also a Global Citizen 2024 Emerging Creative and a Heal The Planet Young Planet Leader. Tariq has won several creativity-related contests, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime #BeWildForNature Competition, the Youth Communication Fall 2024 Writing Contest, and the American Sociological Association Student Video Contest.
Tariq is also a recipient of the American Anthropological Association’s Junior Anthropologist Award and the prestigious Diana Award, the highest honor a young person can receive for social action and humanitarian work. Additionally, he was honored with a Recognition of Excellence by the Yale Entrepreneurial Society and won the Generation Nextz’s Global Citizen of the Year award for embodying the principles of global citizenship. Tariq has also collaborated with various nonprofits as a creative media creator and interned with Ocean Uprise and the Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility Department at Wema Bank.
In the fall of 2024, he also came in 3rd place in the 16-18 category in the Greening Lagos Competition. Through his entry, he highlighted the importance of preserving our environment and providing more green spaces for Lagosians. As a member of World Ocean Day’s Youth Advisory Council, he hopes to promote wildlife and ocean conservation in his community and beyond. He believes young people are capable of driving transformative change, so it is crucial that they feel empowered to do so.