Nigerian lawyer, economist and energy sector analyst Tengi George-Ikoli has been named among the 2025 list of 101 Women Worldwide Unlocking Climate Solutions, in recognition of her leadership in advancing sustainable and inclusive energy transitions.
George-Ikoli currently serves as Nigeria Country Manager for the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), where she leads the organisation’s work on oil, gas and mining governance at a critical moment in Nigeria’s energy transition. With more than a decade of experience across extractive sector governance, she provides technical assistance, policy analysis and capacity development to government institutions, civil society organisations, the media and host communities.
In her role at NRGI, George-Ikoli has been at the forefront of shaping public discourse and policy reform around people-centred energy transitions. Her work focuses on mobilising transition finance, aligning gas ambitions with climate realities, diversifying energy and economic systems, and promoting a just, equitable and sustainable transition that delivers tangible benefits for citizens.
Prior to joining NRGI, she played a key role in Nigeria’s extractive sector reform process as Programme Coordinator at the Nigeria Natural Resource Charter (NNRC). In that capacity, she contributed to efforts that supported the eventual passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks, improving revenue management, reducing environmental and socio-economic harm, and enhancing community benefits.
George-Ikoli holds an LLM in Commercial Law from the University of Bristol and a joint honours LLB in Law and Economics from the University of Wales. Her influence extends beyond Nigeria: she previously served on the Global Council of the Resource Justice Network (formerly Publish What You Pay), a coalition of more than 1,000 civil society organisations advocating for improved natural resource governance worldwide. She also served on the Methane Financing Working Group, launched at COP28.
Her latest recognition adds to a growing list of honours. She was previously named among the 101 Leading Women in Climate by the Fin-Erth Awards and recognised by SEVA Center for Development Initiatives (SEVA CDI) as one of the women leading Nigeria’s green energy transition.
Reacting to the recognition, George-Ikoli said the honour reaffirmed the importance of inclusion and representation in shaping sustainable futures. She highlighted the growing visibility of women in Nigeria’s energy, governance and public leadership spaces, noting that meaningful participation by women leads to more resilient, responsive and equitable outcomes—particularly for underserved communities, youth and people with disabilities.
As Nigeria navigates the complexities of energy transition, she expressed optimism about the momentum building across sectors, stressing that greater female representation in parliament, boardrooms and the energy industry will strengthen collective impact.
The 2025 listing places George-Ikoli among a global network of women whose leadership is helping to redefine climate action, resource governance and sustainable development across Africa and beyond.
