António Guterres, the Unite Nations’ Secretary-General on Tuesday announced the appointment of the Managing Director, Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency, Damilola Ogunbiyi, as his Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of United Nations-Energy.
In a statement made available to journalists, Guterres also welcomed the announcement by the Administrative Board of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) that Ogunbiyi has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of SEforALL.
With the development, Ogunbiyi succeeds Rachel Kyte of the United Kingdom as Special Representative, Co-Chair of United Nations-Energy, and CEO of SEforALL.
The statement read, “The Secretary-General expresses his gratitude to Ms. Kyte for her dedication and commitment to the United Nations, her achievements in accelerating universal energy access, and her leadership in advancing sustainable energy transition in the context of the Paris Agreement.
“Ms. Ogunbiyi brings extensive leadership experience and a track record of supporting energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa to these roles. She was the first woman to be appointed as Managing Director of the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency.
“She is also responsible for implementing the Nigerian Off Grid Electrification Programme and successfully negotiating the Nigerian Electrification Project, to rapidly construct solar mini-grids and deploy solar home systems across Nigeria.
“She also developed the Energising Economics Initiative and Energising Education Programme, which provide sustainable and affordable off grid power solutions. “