One App,
Many Uses
I grew up in Jos, a city in Plateau State, Nigeria, known for its cool climate, its natural beauty, and sadly, for the crises that have scarred it over the years. Living here has never been easy. Conflicts disrupted lives, opportunities were scarce, and the land itself bore the wounds of neglect and exploitation. Yet, amidst all of this, I found my compass in geology. For me, rocks were not just silent witnesses of time; they were storytellers of the earth’s history, holding lessons for the future. Studying geology opened my eyes to both the richness of our land and the fragility of its ecosystems.
As I advanced in my studies at the University of Jos, I could not ignore what was happening around me. Illegal mining had become a common sight in Plateau State. Communities that once thrived on agriculture and peaceful living now faced land degradation, polluted water sources, and dangerous abandoned pits. I saw children playing near these sites and farmers struggling with infertile soil. Each encounter weighed on me, sparking an inner call: something must be done.
I responded by founding Geo Sustain Plateau, a pilot initiative dedicated to raising awareness of the impacts of illegal mining and promoting sustainable land restoration. My vision was simple but urgent, to transform conversations into action and inspire young people to see themselves as guardians of the environment. With limited resources but unlimited determination, I began small: discussions with fellow students, community awareness sessions, and engaging local youth in reimagining how Plateau State could protect its land.
Slowly, I began to see the power of awareness. People who once overlooked these issues started asking questions. They wanted to know how they could help restore the very land that sustains us.
Diary Entry
Restoring Hope from the Plateau
Starting something new was never easy. There were moments of doubt, times I wondered whether my voice was too small or whether change was even possible against such immense challenges. But one lesson I have learned is this: impact often begins quietly. It starts with planting seeds of knowledge and nurturing them until they grow into movements. Geo Sustain Plateau gave me purpose, and it gave others hope. It showed that even as students, even as young people from overlooked regions, we can lead change.
Along the way, I have been fortunate to connect with global communities. Being selected under the Conference Accessibility Program (CAP) to attend the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG) Conference in Namibia 2024 was a turning point. There, I engaged with professionals and peers from across the world, realizing that my local story was part of a global narrative. Issues of sustainability, resource management, and responsible mining are not confined to Plateau State, they are shared challenges. Standing in that space, I understood that my voice had a place in these conversations, and that my journey, rooted in Jos, could resonate far beyond Nigeria.
Another defining moment came in 2025, when I was selected to participate in the UPG Sustainability Leadership Program, the world’s largest training on sustainability. There, I connected with changemakers across continents and learned that sustainability is not a distant concept but a lived practice, shaped by local actions and community-driven solutions. Conversations with other leaders affirmed my belief that leadership is not about titles or positions; it is about serving with integrity, vision, and persistence.
Through these experiences, my dream has grown clearer: to bridge geology with renewable energy and sustainable practices. I want to contribute to a world where the wealth of the earth is used responsibly, where renewable energy replaces exploitation, and where communities thrive in harmony with their environment. I imagine Plateau State not only remembered for its crises but celebrated as a hub of resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth.
But beyond dreams, there is a message I want to leave with readers everywhere: never underestimate the power of your own story. Change does not always begin in conference halls or policy rooms. More often, it begins in classrooms, in local communities, and in the quiet courage of young people who decide to act. My story is not extraordinary, it is simply a testimony that even in difficult places, hope can take root.
The challenges we face as a planet, climate change, land degradation, loss of biodiversity, are immense. But what gives me hope is our collective capacity to respond. From Jos to Johannesburg, from Lagos to London, young changemakers are rising. They are proving that no voice is too small, and no action too insignificant. We are connected by a shared responsibility to heal and sustain the earth.
As I write this diary entry, I think back to Jos, the city where my journey began. To some, it is a place defined by conflict. To me, it is a place of contradictions: broken ground and fertile possibilities, pain and resilience, crisis and hope. It is here that I chose not to remain a passive observer but to become an active participant in shaping the future. That choice has carried me to global stages, into leadership circles, and most importantly, into the lives of people who now see that restoration is possible.
The “hope from the Plateau” is not just mine, it is the collective hope of a generation determined to build differently. It is the belief that we can restore degraded lands, empower communities, and inspire a new relationship with our environment. It is a reminder that no matter where you are, no matter your resources, you too can be a changemaker.
My story is ongoing, and I am still learning. But one truth remains clear: the world does not change by waiting for others, it changes when ordinary people decide to take extraordinary steps. For me, those steps began on the Plateau. For you, they may begin wherever you are today. Together, our voices and actions can restore hope, not just in our communities, but in the world we share.
Abdullahi Dauda Abdullahi