Damilola Ogunbiyi, a Nigerian, has made history by becoming the first Nigerian to receive the TIME Earth Awards. The prestigious honour is bestowed by TIME to individuals who have made a significant impact on global efforts to combat climate change and accelerate the energy transition. The recognition acknowledges Ogunbiyi's outstanding leadership in promoting the use of clean energy, particularly in the Global South.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ogunbiyi on her achievement, praising her exceptional leadership and dedication to sustainable development. Under her stewardship, Sustainable Energy for All has supported over 100 countries and secured commitments worth over USD 1.6 trillion in energy finance.
Ogunbiyi's achievement is a testament to her professionalism and unwavering commitment to sustainable development. The recognition also highlights Nigeria's growing influence in shaping innovative solutions to global development challenges.
President Tinubu's congratulatory message to Damilola Ogunbiyi is a welcome acknowledgement of her outstanding contributions to sustainable development. However, it is imperative that the President's administration follows up on his words with concrete actions to support Nigeria's growing influence in the global clean energy transition. The USD 1.6 trillion in energy finance secured by Sustainable Energy for All is a significant figure, and it is crucial that Nigeria taps into this opportunity to drive its own energy transition and create jobs for its citizens. The recognition of Ogunbiyi's achievement should serve as a catalyst for the President's administration to prioritize sustainable development and climate action in its policy decisions.
