Damilola Ogunbiyi, the United Nations (UN) special representative for sustainable energy and co-chair of UN-Energy, has been named among the 2026 honourees of the TIME Earth Awards, becoming the first Nigerian to receive the recognition for contributions to global climate action and environmental sustainability.
The TIME Earth Awards recognise individuals driving impactful solutions to climate change. Ogunbiyi was honoured for her leadership in advancing clean energy transition and accelerating the decarbonisation of energy systems, particularly across countries in the Global South.
Ogunbiyi currently serves as chief executive officer of Sustainable Energy for All and as special representative of the United Nations secretary-general for sustainable energy, where she also co-chairs UN-Energy.
Under her leadership, SEforALL has mobilised more than $1.6 trillion in energy finance commitments and supported over 100 countries to expand energy access, while building partnerships with more than 200 organisations.
Reacting to the recognition, Ogunbiyi emphasised the need for people-centred energy transition, noting that access to reliable and clean power remains critical to improving livelihoods.
She highlighted progress across developing economies, including expanded solar capacity in Pakistan and Kenya’s clean energy generation, as examples of momentum in the Global South. She also pointed to Nigeria’s growing distributed renewable energy programmes as key to unlocking economic opportunities.
Prior to her current roles, Ogunbiyi served as managing director of the Rural Electrification Agency, where she led the implementation of the Nigerian Electrification Project. The $550 million initiative has delivered electricity access to more than eight million Nigerians and deployed over 100 megawatts of decentralised energy to institutions such as hospitals, schools and government facilities.
President Bola Tinubu commended Ogunbiyi for her achievement, describing it as a reflection of Nigeria’s growing role in shaping global development solutions.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the president said Ogunbiyi’s recognition underscores the country’s influence in advancing innovative responses to climate and energy challenges.
