ISSUE 48/DEC2022 - Flipbook - Page 51
Damilola Ogunbiyi
NIGERIA
UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sustainable Energy
for All Co-Chair: UN Energy CEO: Sustainable Energy for All
PUBLIC SERVICE: Sustainable Energy Advocate
Anyone who follows Damilola will know
how passionate she is about Sustainable
Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for
affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern
energy for all by the fast-approaching 2030
SDGs deadline.
She is a globally respected leader with a
broad and diverse international network in the
area of energy development, which includes
key relationships with leading multilateral
and bilateral partners and the private
sector, according to the UN, which works in
partnership with Sustainable Energy for All
(SEforALL).
She is a sought-after commentator on
renewable energy access, ending energy
poverty, and the inclusion of women and youth
in the energy sector.
“Women across the world are driving a
renewable energy transition that supports
climate action and leaves no one behind. From
young entrepreneurs to female CEOs — we
must harness and champion this leadership to
achieve a prosperous, climate-resilient future
for all,” she is on record stating.
Damilola backs up her passion with an
impressive track record of supporting energy
access on the continent.
She has previously served as the first
female Managing Director of the Nigerian
Rural Electrification Agency. She was also
responsible for implementing the Nigerian
Off Grid Electrification Programme and
successfully negotiated the Nigerian
Electrification Project, to rapidly construct
solar mini-grids and deploy solar home
systems across Nigeria. She also developed
the Energizing Economics Initiative and
Energizing Education Programme, which
provide sustainable and affordable off grid
power solutions. Impressive!
“As the world faces ongoing development
challenges, access to energy is the key that
will help unlock the Sustainable Development
Goals. With 2030 growing ever closer, smart
use of data, new partnerships, and scaled
involvement of the private sector will be
paramount… I’m proud to join SEforALL and
continue to focus our efforts on closing energy
access gaps, showing that a clean energy
transition is possible, and working to give
everyone the opportunity of a prosperous,
dignified, and healthy life.,” she says of her
vision when she took on the role as CEO OF
Sustainable Energy for All.
SEforALL is an international organisation
that works in partnership not only with the
United Nations but also leaders in government,
the private sector, financial institutions, civil
society and philanthropies to drive faster
action towards the achievement of SDG7.
Damilola is also one of the Commissioners for
the Global Commission to End Energy Poverty,
an initiative by the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) and Rockefeller Foundation.
In additon to all this, she created the Lagos
State Energy Academy, which trains and builds
the capacity of young people in renewable
energy technology.
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