The Chief Executive of Sustainable Energy for All and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All, Damilola Ogunbiyi, has been named to the prestigious Forbes Sustainability Leaders 2025 list. The announcement was made on Thursday, confirming her place among the top 50 global changemakers driving measurable progress in sustainability, clean energy, and climate action.
The annual Forbes recognition highlights leaders from across the public, private, and multilateral sectors who are shaping a more sustainable world. Ogunbiyi was chosen from a pool of 120 finalists that included founders, policymakers, researchers, investors, activists, scientists, and artists.
She shares this global honor with Kenya’s Wanjira Mathai and Benin’s Romaric Odoulami, further spotlighting Africa’s rising influence in the sustainability movement.
In its tribute, Forbes praised Ogunbiyi’s dedication:
“At the United Nations, Damilola Ogunbiyi leads efforts to advance an equitable energy transition that benefits underprivileged communities in the Global South.”
A Trailblazer for Energy and Gender Representation
Ogunbiyi has carved an exceptional path in Nigeria and on the international stage. She became the first female General Manager of the Lagos State Electricity Board and later the first female Managing Director of Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency.
Her leadership underscores the role of women in transforming the energy sector and advancing clean, innovative solutions across Africa.
Key Achievements
Energy Compacts Initiative: Secured $201 billion in investments to expand clean energy access.
Impact (2021–2024): Brought reliable electricity to 177 million people and equipped 6,000 healthcare facilities.
Global Roles: Co-chair of UN-Energy, Commissioner for the Global Commission to End Energy Poverty, and Co-chair of the COP26 Energy Transition Council.
Mission 300: Co-leading an initiative with the World Bank Group and African Development Bank to provide electricity access to 300 million Sub-Saharan Africans by 2030.
Educational Background
Ogunbiyi holds both a Bachelor’s degree in Project Management with Construction and a Master’s degree in Construction Management with Public-Private Partnership, earned from the University of Brighton, UK.
Her inclusion in the Forbes 2025 Sustainability Leaders list cements her as one of the most influential voices in global clean energy transformation.
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