Sustainability Practices in the Energy Sector

An experienced CEO and Board Director with deep expertise in critical economic sectors of Industrials, Renewable Energy, and Agriculture for organizations across the UK and Africa, including Wolseley, Ibstock, and Lafarge, and B2B and consumer-facing SMEs across sectors. Before this, she had a formative career in consulting with BCG and finance with Citicorp.

This diversity of experience – operating in blue-chips and high-growth start-ups, multinational and regional environments, ownership structures spanning listed, PE-owned, family and public sector, and across sectors and geographies – has provided her with a profound understanding of how to drive growth and performance in both high-potential and challenging markets.

Her expertise includes:
→ Value Creation
She has consistently delivered growth, transformation, and turnaround results within both private and public sectors, drawing on a breadth of expertise, commercial operations, a deep insight of how to steer sustainable change in complex organizations, and extensive experience of managing multifaceted stakeholder groups.""

→ Sustainability
She possesses a depth of experience in enabling organizations to achieve growth and performance in a more balanced way, spearheading strategies and actionable, measurable plans that deliver meaningful change, and with particular interest in Climate Change and Energy Transition.

→ Culture and Talent
She builds inclusive, engaged workforces, as a collegiate, collaborative leader who believes empathy and respect are the cornerstones of a positive workforce culture. She invests heavily in knowing and trusting my leadership teams, energizing each of them to grow and develop, and has been a committed mentor of women for many years.

Selected Career Highlights:
→ Shortlisted for NED To Watch, NED Awards, 2023
->Cranfield University’s 100 Women to Watch, 2021
→ LinkedIn Top 10 Green Voices in UK, 2021
→ Awarded CNBC Africa Business Woman of the Year, 2015
→ Harvard Business School Nigeria Leadership Award, 2013

she is always interested in connecting with individuals who find her skills and expertise valuable to their organization.

Embarking on my journey that started in 2014, I ardently pursued sustainable solutions in the area of environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical fumigation. A motivation fuelled by my research enthusiasm. By 2019, I advocated for self-recharging light bulb usage within state agencies to reduce energy consumption and heat emissions.

In 2022, I wrote research proposals to State and Federal MDAs on waste management and conversion methods using five innovative methods.

I also proposed post-harvested, loss waste management methods using proper food storage processes and structures. The use of bacteria in the mining sector called Bioleaching in place of chemical leaching and the use of old cargo containers and plastic as sustainable alternative building materials in the housing and construction industries. Continuing my commitment, I spearheaded TrashFormas' Biogas pilot project, securing second place and pre-seed funds in a Channels TV-sponsored show that concluded in December 2023.

My expertise spans environmentally friendly solutions, waste management, and conversion methods, aiming to reshape global approaches to climate change. This condensed narrative encapsulates my passion for a greener, more sustainable future.

CV / BIOGRAPHY (2023 updated )

Olatokunbo Ige is an international human rights lawyer, peace and security, development, and disarmament expert with over 40 years of experience working with governments, and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations primarily in Africa. She recently retired from the United Nations as a senior human rights officer having served mainly in countries in crises and those in transition from 2000 till 2017.

Tokunbo was on special leave from the UN until her official retirement in 2022, and, is now a social entrepreneur.

During her special leave, she dedicated her time to acquiring soft skills which she now uses for supporting individuals and businesses.

Trained by the John Maxwell (now Maxwell Leadership)Team, Tokunbo is a certified Leadership and personal development trainer, coach, mentor, and human behavior consultant.

Wola is the pioneer Chief of, the Legal & Company Secretariat at Eko Electricity Distribution Plc (EKEDP) and doubles as its Data Protection Officer. At different times, she has also doubled as the Head, of Regulatory Compliance; Chief Human Resources and Administration Officer; and Supervising Chief, of the Customer Service Department.

Before joining EKEDP, Wola worked with Lagoon Home Savings and Loans as its General Counsel/Company Secretary and with Banwo & Ighodalo, as a Legal Associate. Wola holds a law degree from the University of Ibadan, an LLM (specializing in International Finance) from the Harvard Law School, and an Executive MBA from INSEAD Business School. Wola is also an International Finance Corporation (World Bank) Board Evaluation Certified Professional and
Corporate Governance Trainer.

In addition to the numerous workplace and industry awards she has garnered throughout her career, Wola was ranked 11th out of the top 50 General Counsels in Nigeria in the 2019 edition of the LKS Seminar Legal Magazine. In 2018, Legal Blitz ranked her among the top 40 under 40 Lawyers greatly impacting the legal profession in Nigeria. She has also led her team in back-to-back wins of the Energy and Power Team for the Years 2017, 2018, and 2022.

In 2021, she received an award from the Association of Lawyers in Oil and Gas Nigeria for her years of distinguished service in the Power Industry. She also received awards from the Managing Director/CEO of EKEDP under the 2021 Excellence Award for “The Guru” and the special award for “Milestone Achievement” which was won by the Customer Care Department (under her supervision).

Wola is a Director on the Board of the Women in Energy Network and also on the Board of Prime-Rose Nursery & Primary School; she also sits on the Board of Trustees of the Jimi Tewe Foundation, as well as the Advisory Board of Newswire Law & Events Magazine.

She was appointed to the Editorial Board of the Electricity Law Reports (the first ever Electricity Law Report in Africa) and the Public Affairs & Advocacy Committee of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Moyo Makanjuola is an entrepreneur and agile leader with vast experience in the energy and agribusiness sector. Her focus is on business conceptualization and development, business process re-engineering, operational efficiency improvement and developing intrapreneurial and innovative skill sets in the workplace. Known as a Persuasive communicator; she is adept at leveraging her personal networks and professional relationships to form value adding alliances and business synergies.

Dr. Opeke is a Houston based International Business Consultant & Strategist with over 19 years of entrepreneurial experience, establishing and scaling sustainable businesses that impact lives and communities.She graduated from University of Ibadan (UI), Nigeria with a B.Sc. in Geography, and M.Sc. in Geographical and Information Systems (GIS). She later proceeded to the United Kingdom to obtain another M.Sc. in Project Management from Queen Mary University of London. In 2018, she bagged a doctorate degree from Walden University, Minnesota, USA, where she specialized in Entrepreneurship and Organizational Leadership. Dr. Opeke is PRINCE2 certified and a certified John Maxwell coach, speaker and trainer.

Dr. Yinka Opeke is the CEO of Smart Gas, a technology based gas distribution company headquartered in Lagos State. Their operations are deeply focused in the midstream and downstream sectors of the energy industry, delivering superior quality and exceptional services in Grassroot LPG penetration, cylinder sales, LPG logistics, LPG retailing, wholesaling, fuel generator conversions to LPG and holistic supply chain management services.

She is also the Founder & CEO of Trade Expo Africa (TEXA). TEXA is a Houston based company with a focus on promoting Made in African products within African countries and the United States.

Dr. Opeke is a self-published author. In June 2022, she launched her first book, Beyond Her Sexuality, The Strength Within. This motivational book was written on behalf of women like her who have all it takes to be who and what God has called them to be.

She has received Certificates of Recognition from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, State Representative Shawn Thierry and Mayor of Houston, Mayor Sylvester Turner for her tremendous efforts at promoting trade and investment in Houston.

Up till November 2021, Dr. Opeke held an executive board position at the Texas Africa Chamber of Commerce (TXACC) as their Treasurer, Head of Strategy & Corporate Governance. Together with her team, they promoted trade alliances between businesses in Texas and West Africa. Since inception in 2019, Dr. Yinka and her team hosted the President of Guinea and Ghana, 3 Ambassadors, and visited over seven African Ambassadors to the US in Washington D.C.

In September 2021, she was awarded Amazon of the year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out Awards and in March 2022, The Silverbird Group awarded her The Silverbird Special Achievement Award amongst other recognitions.

Her professional strengths are Innovation & Strategic Thinking, Entrepreneurship, Strategy Formulation & Implementation, Management & Leadership, Brand Management, Sales & Marketing, Project Management, Business Process Improvement, Team Building, Coaching & Mentoring.

Ms. Damilola is passionate about driving impactful solutions in the African oil and gas sector. I am a results-oriented leader with a strong commitment to advancing the oil and gas landscape in Africa. With a proven track record of delivering value-added services, I take pride in spearheading dynamic teams that ensure timely and high-quality outcomes for stakeholders.

In the face of the 2020 pandemic, Selai Gas Station Limited embarked on a pioneering project to provide cleaner and more affordable energy solutions to underserved communities, particularly empowering women in the suburbs of Lagos, Nigeria. This initiative aligns with my commitment to fostering positive societal impact through strategic business ventures.

My unwavering dedication to propelling the oil and gas sector in Africa motivates me each day. I am driven by the opportunity to create transformative change, enhance operational efficiency, and contribute to sustainable development.

I am always open to engaging with fellow professionals, industry enthusiasts, and potential collaborators. Let's connect and explore how we can synergize our expertise to create a brighter future for the oil and gas landscape in Africa and beyond.