Damilola Ogunbiyi made history when she became the first female Managing Director of Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency, a position she has used to significantly shape the country’s energy landscape. Her leadership in spearheading the Nigerian Off-Grid Electrification Programme and the $350 million Nigerian Electrification Project, funded by the World Bank, has been instrumental in expanding solar mini grids and deploying solar home systems across Nigeria. These projects aim to provide much-needed energy solutions to rural communities, impacting the lives of millions of Nigerians who previously lacked access to electricity.
Ogunbiyi’s contributions to Nigeria’s energy sector do not stop there. Her work on the Energizing Education Program stands out as a monumental step towards enhancing the country’s educational infrastructure. By providing 37 federal universities and seven university teaching hospitals with uninterrupted electricity through off-grid power plants, she is ensuring a stable power supply for students and researchers, directly improving the quality of education in Nigeria. Her initiative, the Energizing Economies Initiative, is also helping connect 100,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to a reliable power supply, driving economic growth in some of Nigeria’s largest markets.
Meanwhile, Ogunbiyi has played a key role on the global stage in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for access to affordable and sustainable energy for all by 2030. As the Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, she has been at the forefront of global efforts to address energy poverty. Under her leadership, SEforALL has formed partnerships with over 200 organizations, supported more than 90 countries, and secured commitments of over $1.3 billion in energy financing. Her vision has driven innovative programs such as the Universal Energy Facility, Powering Healthcare, and Cooling for All, all of which aim to bring sustainable energy to underserved communities.
Ogunbiyi’s work is not just about immediate energy solutions but long-term transformation. She is coordinating the Nigerian Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP), a comprehensive initiative that aims to reset Nigeria’s electricity supply industry by improving governance, financial transparency, and service delivery. Through her efforts, Nigeria has secured $2.5 billion in funding from the World Bank to implement the PSRP, which is set to address systemic issues within the power sector and lay the foundation for future growth.
Her professional journey has been equally impressive. Before her federal roles, Ogunbiyi was the first female General Manager of the Lagos State Electricity Board. There, she managed independent power projects and led initiatives that provided over 55 megawatts of power to Lagos hospitals, schools, and public infrastructure. Her achievements in Lagos, including a 5MW decentralized solar project for 213 schools and clinics, laid the groundwork for her larger national and international impact.
Today, as a global leader in energy and sustainability, Ogunbiyi continues to champion efforts for a just and equitable energy transition. She serves on multiple international advisory boards, including the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab and the European Investment Bank’s Climate and Environment Advisory Council. Her advocacy has pushed the energy agenda forward at global forums such as COP26 and COP28, where she co-chaired energy transition councils that are shaping policies to combat climate change.
Damilola Ogunbiyi’s leadership is reshaping Nigeria’s energy future while driving global change in the pursuit of universal energy access. Her work serves as an inspiration for women in leadership and a testament to the transformative power of sustainable energy solutions.
