The Women Lighting Up Nigeria
*Joan Bishio
Nigeria is a country flowing with land and resources but has always known darkness. About 92 million out of the country’s 200 million people lack access to power and most of the remaining populace have underserved energy needs. These women have broken barriers to restore light on the country’s darkness to push economic growth. They do this in a male-dominated industry, pushing for change, innovation, and equity.
Glory Oguegbu
Glory is a seasoned entrepreneur and the founder of Glow Initiative for Economic Empowerment and Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute (RETTI). RETTI grooms efficient solar panel installers and clean energy entrepreneurs to serve as a competent workforce for the renewable energy industry and provide solutions to electricity problems as entrepreneurs. With a virtual university, RETTI provides easy access and affordable renewable energy education for all.
She is on a mission to train and invest in the next generation of energy leaders who will contribute to delivering sustainable access to energy and a zero carbon Africa.
Ifeoma Malo
Ifeoma is the CEO/Founder of Clean Technology Hub, a hybrid hub for energy/climate innovations. A Nigerian lawyer working in international development, her work focuses on clean energy technologies, energy access, climate change mitigation and adaptation across Africa.
She was the Nigeria’s Country Director at Power for All for 4 years, during which she led a campaign team to promote decentralized renewable energy as the quickest, easiest and most cost effective way of encouraging energy access globally.
She helped to set up and incubate the Renewable energy association of Nigeria. She has advised a range of government agencies on how best to support market growth and has engaged the national media, the faith community and donor agencies in the promotion of distributed renewable energy.
Anita Otubu
Anita is currently the Senior Director, Universal Energy Facility at Sustainable Energy for All. Prior to her present role, she was the Head of the Project management unit of the $550 million Nigeria Electrification Project under Rural Electrification Agency which aims to accelerate the private market for the development and deployment of mini grids, captive power plants and solar home systems for unserved and underserved homes.
She was also the Programme Manager for the Energizing Education Programme Phase 1, in which her services led to the development and 1 year O&M of 7 captive solar hybrid power plants ranging from 1MW to 8MW of total installed capacity in Federal Universities in Nigeria.
She is a qualified lawyer and certified project manager.
Olaedo Osoka
Olaedo is the CEO of Daystar Power Group Ghana. As one of the youngest female CEOs in Africa’s renewable energy space, she leads her team to help businesses in Africa bridge the power gap with solar hybrid systems and innovative financing solutions.
With a first class in law, she has led the company’s expansion in West Africa to Ghana, Togo and Senegal. In 2021, Daystar Power raised $38 million in equity from the Danish Investment Fund for developing countries.
Adepeju Adebajo
Adepeju is the CEO of Lumos Nigeria. At Lumos, she leads an innovation driven team with a commitment to provide solar powered solutions to 1 million Nigerian households and small businesses by 2025.
She is a multi sector expert, with over 3 decades of experience across critical economic sectors including Public sector, Consulting and Finance, Public Affairs and Communications, Manufacturing amongst others. She served as Commissioner of Agriculture in Ogun State from 2017–2019.
She is passionate about creating solutions aimed at improving standards of living and solutions that are pivotal to enabling youths/businesses to create wealth and generate employment opportunities.
Ujunwa Ojemeni
Ujunwa is the SA (Technical)to the office of the Honorable Commissioner of Energy/Mineral Resources Lagos State. She drives policies, investment opportunities and implementation. strategies to deliver reliable energy to the citizens of the state.
She is also the founder of African Women in Energy Development Initiative (AWEDI NETWORK). The aim of AWEDI is to promote growth of women and female students with interest in the energy sector through mentorship programs, accelerator programs, networking opportunities and leadership training.
Ujunwa leads the Lagos Metering Program through provision of meters to low income areas in Lagos State.
Hannah Kabir
Hannah is the CEO of Creeds Energy, a renewable energy solutions provider addressing energy access in Nigeria. With 10 years of experience in telecoms, ICT, renewables and clean technology, she supports young girls and women to embrace STEM career paths.
For 8 years, she has led Creed Energy to serve operations in Abuja, Rivers and Plateau. Creed Energy has successfully installed a 300kWp solar system across the country. She has grown and achieved impacts in shaping energy access discourse, policy and engagements within the private sector, public sector, civil society and NGO.
Damilola Ogunbiyi
Damilola is the CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN Energy. She leads SEforAll’s work to bring clarity and focus towards implementing SDG 7 and working with private and public sectors with a global network of institutions to create action.
Damilola is a global leader and advocate for the achievement of SDG 7 which calls for access to reliable, affordable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030. Prior to her present role, she was the first female MD of the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency where she was responsible for successfully negotiating the Nigerian Electrification Project which is a $550 million facility to rapidly construct solar mini-grids and deploy solar home systems across Nigeria to close energy access gaps.
As the first female General Manager of the Lagos State Electricity Board, she created the Lagos State Energy Academy to build the capacity of young people in renewable energy technology and the Engineering Education Program.
Sandra Chukwudozie
Sandra is the CEO of Salpha Energy, a clean energy company that provides cleaner energy towards a carbon neutral future.
She has dedicated her professional life to support economic growth by driving sustainable energy developments to promote a better future for humanity.
A career at UNIDO helped change her mindset to bring sustainable solutions to the energy challenges in Nigeria by promoting energy transition. She has led her team at Salpha Energy to sign a $1 million deal with All On to scale Salpha Energy.
Anita Nana Okuribido
Anita is the President of Women in Renewable Energy Association, National President of the Council for Renewable Energy and CEO of Siman Engineering.
Also known as Mama Renewable, she has contributed to the positive growth and utilization of Renewable Energy in Nigeria. As the CEO of Siman Engineering, a renewable energy company that focuses on technical development that develops and implements renewable energy solutions focusing on rural empowerment.
She has a passion to usher in the large scale development of renewable energy in Nigeria, creating opportunities for women and youths.
Habiba Ali
Habiba is the MD/CEO of Sosai Renewable Energies Company, which provides renewable energy products like solar lamps, water purifiers and solar panels within communities of Northern Nigeria as well as energy consulting services.
Habiba has been in the renewable energy industry since 2005. She has worked on the Clean Development Mechanism’s PROJECT EFFICIENT COOK STOVES FOR NIGERIA, the solar lamps assembly and sales training program.
Habiba manages a partnership with C-Quest LLC to implement a nationwide Programme of activities for improved cook stoves in Nigeria with 50,000 cook stoves installed.
Joan Bishio* is the Junior Associate, Knowledge and Web Management, at Clean Technology Hub.
Edited and Reviewed by Ene Ijato Abba
