Damilola Ogunbiyi First Nigerian Honored with TIME Earth Award

Damilola Ogunbiyi has made history as the first Nigerian to be named in the TIME Earth Awards, which honor individuals making impactful contributions to climate action. Ogunbiyi serves as the CEO of Sustainable Energy for All and as a Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General.

The TIME Earth Awards recognize six global leaders each year, and this marks the fourth year of the awards. Ogunbiyi's efforts focus on advancing clean energy transitions and decarbonizing energy systems worldwide, significantly impacting communities in the Global South.

She highlighted the importance of energy transition for improving lives through reliable clean power. Her previous roles include leading Nigeria's Rural Electrification Agency, where she initiated the Nigerian Electrification Project, providing energy access to 8 million people.

Ogunbiyi has received multiple accolades, including recognition on the 2024 TIME100 Climate List and the Global Female Leadership Impact Award. Her work has garnered support from 200 partners across 100 countries, securing a commitment of USD 1.6 trillion for energy financing.