GIFSEP Empowers Women to Champion Renewable Energy in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) has launched a campaign to empower women as key voices in Nigeria’s renewable energy transition.

The organization convened a media parley and exhibition under the theme “Empowering Women Voices for Renewable Energy: Media Coverage Parley and Exhibition in Nigeria” at Novare Mall, Shoprite, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, bringing together women leaders, activists, and clean energy advocates to promote gender inclusion in climate and energy solutions.

The gathering, which drew women from various communities and organizations, highlighted the urgent need for a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy in Nigeria.

In his statement, Dr. Michael Terungwa David, Executive Director of GIFSEP, emphasized that women are disproportionately affected by the country’s reliance on oil, gas, and coal, which continue to pollute the environment and deepen poverty.

Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest economy, still has over 85 million citizens without access to electricity, forcing many families especially in rural areas to depend on kerosene, firewood, and diesel generators.

Dr. David noted that these traditional energy sources endanger women’s health, limit educational opportunities for girls, and worsen economic inequality.

GIFSEP’s recent Women for Renewable Energy Boot Camp, supported by Social Change Nest and UMI Fund, trained women from fossil fuel-impacted communities as solar technicians and clean energy advocates.
Participants received hands-on instruction in solar installation, maintenance, and community education, equipping them to lead clean energy adoption in their localities.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Michael Terungwa David emphasized the urgent need for a just energy transition in Nigeria, calling on governments, partners, and the private sector to support women-led renewable energy initiatives. He stressed that access to clean energy is a human right and key to equity, health, and opportunity.

“As the world prepares for COP30, GIFSEP calls on government agencies, development partners, and the private sector to invest in women-led renewable energy solutions and scale up climate and adaptation finance that directly reaches local communities. Energy is not just power, it’s health, education, and opportunity.
World leaders must remember that renewable energy access is not charity; it’s a human right. A just energy transition in Nigeria must prioritize equity, inclusiveness, and community ownership ensuring that no one, especially women and the poor, is left behind. Together, with women, we can power Nigeria’s future with clean energy, justice, and hope.’”

Dr. David also revealed that GIFSEP has launched the Women Voices for Renewable Energy in Nigeria initiative, training women from fossil fuel–impacted communities as solar technicians and clean energy advocates. The program equips participants with practical skills to transform their communities.

He further stated “Recognizing this gap, GIFSEP has taken proactive steps to empower women as key drivers of Nigeria’s energy transition through the Women Voices for Renewable Energy in Nigeria initiative with support from Social Change Nest and UMI Fund. Over the past three days, we held a Women for Renewable Energy Boot Camp, where we trained women and girls from fossil fuel–impacted communities to become solar technicians and clean energy advocates.

Through hands-on sessions and mentorship, participants gained practical skills in solar installation, maintenance, and community energy education, preparing them to return to their communities as both practitioners and change agents for renewable energy adoption.’” He stated .

He further disclosed Nigeria’s dependence on oil, gas, and coal, particularly in the Niger Delta and North Central regions, continues to fuel greenhouse gas emissions, air and water pollution, and severe environmental degradation.

“Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The country’s dependence on oil, gas, and coal particularly in the Niger Delta and North Central regions continues to fuel greenhouse gas emissions, air and water pollution, and severe environmental degradation. Gas flaring and fossil fuel combustion release significant amounts of methane and carbon dioxide, driving both climate change and environmental injustice in host communities.”

He emphasized that Nigeria Despite being Africa’s largest economy, over 85 million Nigerians more than 40% of the population still lack electricity, keeping many trapped in cycles of poverty and limiting economic development.

“Despite being Africa’s largest economy, over 85 million Nigerians more than 40% of the population still lack access to electricity. This persistent energy poverty stifles economic development, worsens inequality, and keeps millions trapped in cycles of hardship.”

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by energy poverty. Traditional fuels like firewood and kerosene expose them to health risks and reduce opportunities for education and income generation.

“Families across rural Nigeria continue to depend on kerosene, firewood, and diesel generators options that are expensive, unsafe, and harmful to human health and the environment. The consequences are especially severe for women and girls, who spend hours fetching firewood and are exposed to dangerous indoor smoke, losing valuable time for education, income generation, and rest.”he added.

Doorcas Nicanor, Team Lead of Women Voices for Renewable Energy, introduced the women participants and highlighted the importance of energy access as a human right for communities, homes, schools, and health facilities.

“Energy access is not charity, it is a human right ,it is renewable energy for our small scale businesses.” She stated .

Juliat Ooja Okoh, Coordinator of Owukpa Women in Training, spoke on the challenges women face in coal-impacted communities like Owukpa and Awo, emphasizing energy deprivation and the empowering effect of the boot camp.

“For us, renewable energy is no longer charity, it’s our right lending our voices to the issues of renewable energy is going to make the world know what women are going through.”she added.

Amanie Stella, Executive Director of Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA), highlighted the Niger Delta’s oil exploitation, environmental degradation, and energy poverty, calling for climate and energy justice for women and their communities.
“This boot camp has given us the opportunity as women to demand climate justice ,it will be nice if women have clean energy in their homes so their children can read at night.”

Rejoice Asoloko, a member of Brum Brum Community, addressed the poverty and insecurity in mineral-rich areas like Asraigon, noting that renewable energy access can empower women and improve community development.
“This boot camp is an eye opener,it shows the need for women to get involved in renewable energy and have access to it.”

Best Nbani of Lekeh Development Foundation, representing youth from the Niger Delta, called on multinational oil companies like Shell to remediate environmental damage in Oguni, linking energy access to justice and environmental restoration ahead of COP30.

“Shell should come and clean up Oguni land ,Shell should remediate, restore, and repair.” She added.

GIFSEP Empowers Women to Champion Renewable Energy in Nigeria