Mary Opeyemi Adebote, a trailblazer in fisheries science and environmental conservation, has been widely recognised for her outstanding contributions to youth empowerment, leadership, and sustainability. In 2023, she received two prestigious honours, the One Million Leaders Africa (OMLA) Fellowship and the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Award, both celebrating her commitment to impactful leadership and environmental advocacy.
The OMLA Fellowship, awarded to exceptional young leaders across Africa, recognises individuals who are dedicated to solving societal challenges through innovative and sustainable approaches. Adebote’s selection was based on her exceptional work in fisheries management, climate action, and environmental sustainability. Through this fellowship, she has contributed significantly to initiatives that train and inspire the next generation of change-makers across the continent.
Similarly, the YALI Award, a flagship U.S. government initiative, honoured her pivotal role in advancing environmental literacy and advocacy. As part of her YALI engagement, Adebote co-led the Eco Literacy and Action Project, a transformative program designed to equip students and teachers with essential knowledge and practical strategies for sustainable action. Implemented across government schools in Abuja, Nigeria, the project focused on three key areas:
sustainability education, school-based conservation projects, and teacher training workshops. By the end of 2023, the project had reached hundreds of students and educators, fostering environmental awareness and equipping young people with the tools to lead impactful sustainability initiatives within their communities.
In addition to her global and national accolades, Adebote is the visionary founder of the Mary Soetan Initiative, an NGO established in April 2018 to inspire youth towards chastity, leadership, and excellence. The initiative is deeply passionate about building platforms that connect, empower, and support young people with innovative strategies that enable them to discover their purpose early and build meaningful lives. Its maiden outreach took place at her alma mater high school, where she encouraged students to develop a reading culture, an ethic she attributes to her personal growth and success. Since then, the initiative has expanded to secondary schools across Lagos State, Ogun State, and Port Harcourt, where it has organised purpose-driven, career-focused programs that help students identify their passions, cultivate discipline, and embrace impact-driven leadership.
Beyond her accolades and community engagements, Adebote has remained steadfast in her mission to bridge scientific research with real-world applications, ensuring that local fishing communities benefit from sustainable practices. Though her father once hoped she would become a Civil Engineer, Mary charted her own path and pursued a degree in Aquaculture and Fisheries Management at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, where she graduated in flying colours. Her exceptional performance earned her a prestigious World Bank Scholarship for a Master’s programme at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, where she specialised in fisheries science and aquatic ecology.
Her research and leadership underscore the vital intersection of science, policy, and social impact, reinforcing the role of young professionals in shaping Africa’s environmental and economic future.
As the world marks Women’s Month this March, the Nigeria Fishery Society joined the beneficiaries of Mary Soetan Foundation to celebrate Mary’s journey, which stands as a compelling reminder of the vital role women play in driving scientific innovation, environmental stewardship, and transformative community leadership. Her work exemplifies the power of women-led change and continues to inspire young girls across Africa to lead with courage, purpose, and vision.
With these remarkable achievements, Mary Adebote continues to set a new precedent for young African scientists and leaders. She is not only shaping the future of fisheries science and environmental management but also inspiring a generational movement of youth leaders committed to sustainability, excellence, and meaningful change.
