As countries worldwide transition to clean and sustainable energy solutions, the lack of energy access in Nigeria poses critical challenges to the country’s socio-economic development. Across the country, women are increasingly playing key roles in closing the energy deficit.
This list highlights some of the women working to improve energy access.
- Damilola Ogunbiyi is a prominent clean energy advocate; she is the current Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Energy for All, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. As the MD of the Rural Electrification Agency, the Agency developed the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) – a $550 million programme aimed to improve the country’s deployment of distributed renewable energy solutions.
- Habiba Ali is a strong advocate for expanding energy access; she is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sosai Renewable Energies. Habiba manages a partnership with C-Quest LLC to implement a nationwide program implementing improved cookstoves in Nigeria –with an installation of about 60,000 cookstoves to date.
- Anita Otubu is the Head of the Project Management Unit for the NEP at the Rural Electrification Agency. Anita was part of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) ‘s management team that secured $350 million and $200 million loan facilities for the NEP’s implementation from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, respectively.
- Hannah Kabir is a clean energy facilitator; she is the CEO of Creeds Energy. She also serves as the interim treasurer for the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria. Through her agency, she has successfully changed the course of traditional bread ovens to Improved Rocket Ovens in Northern Nigeria.
- Sandra Dozie is a creative solutions provider. She is the founder and CEO of Salpha Energy. In expanding energy access, her organisation has successfully implemented pilot projects within several off-grid communities in Borno, Oyo, Lagos and Abia state, installing nearly 1500 solar home systems.
- Anita Nana-Okuribido is a passionate advocate for renewable energy; she is the president of Women in Energy Association, Chairman of Women in Sustainable Power Africa Network. In her capacity, she has commissioned the Solar Green Cart Initiative, aimed at empowering Women and Youths with a Solar Green Cart that has multiple MSME applications like retail, barbing salon and phone charging services.
- Doseke Akporiaye is a dynamic renewable energy provider; she is the Managing Director of Oolu Solar. With her immense contribution, the firm has expanded its operations in six West African countries (Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Niger) and has sold over 60,000 solar home systems.
- Lande Abudu is a renewable energy proponent; she is the Component Lead, Output-Based Fund of the Solar Home System Component, Nigeria Electrification Project, REA. She was the former Executive Secretary of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN). She led a pilot project in partnership with the Federal Government to deploy PayGo SHS to rural off-grid communities in 12 Nigerian States.
- Olasimbo Sojinrin is a clean energy expert; she is the Nigerian Country Director with Solar Sister. Her contribution to the firm has led to the deployment of solar energy and clean cookstoves to over 2.9 million people across Africa.