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Damilola Ogunbiyi: Solar Nigeria Reform Champion

The Power of the Sun - and a Champion

Solar Nigeria's experience has demonstrated the critical role played by reform champions in bringing about change. In this short article we look at Damilola Ogunbiyi's role in supporting Solar Nigeria's work and transforming the solar market in Nigeria.

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The vital role of a reform champion

Solar Nigeria, which ended in 2020, was a pioneering programme funded by the UK government which revolutionised the solar market in Nigeria by demonstrating that solar worked, supporting strong local solar startups, and ultimately making solar affordable as an energy source.  As a result of Solar Nigeria’s work, five million Nigerians were able to benefit from light and power in their homes.

In this article we look at the role played by Damilola Ogunbiyi as Solar Nigeria’s reform champion, and hear about her experience and the lessons she would pass on to implementers seeking to effect policy reform.

Following on from her groundbreaking work at Lagos Electricity Board, Office of the Vice President and the Rural Electrification Energy in Nigeria, Damilola is now CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll) and Co-Chair of UN Energy.

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