New hire Q&A

Q: Tell me about your academic background.
I studied materials science and engineering at the African University of Science and Technology. It’s not a field that attracts many women, so there were just three of us in my cohort, which definitely made things interesting! The pressure to excel was high, but I ended up surpassing expectations and even got a nudge from the university’s vice-chancellor to go for a master’s. Juggling multiple jobs to fund my undergraduate studies wasn’t easy, so landing a full-ride scholarship for my master’s felt like hitting the jackpot!

Q: Many women refrain from taking mathematics and physics courses. What motivated you?
I've always loved problem-solving and analytical thinking, so subjects like mathematics and physics felt more like a challenge than a chore. Doing well in them naturally led me to engineering, where I could take those skills beyond the classroom and apply them to real-world problems.

Q: How was the job hunt for you?
After wrapping up my studies in 2019, I dived into the job hunt, hoping to land a role in renewable energy. But then the COVID-19 pandemic flipped the script, and finding work in Lagos became the top priority for family reasons. I watched many of my peers go into oil and gas, but I knew that wasn’t my path. I wanted to be part of something bigger, something that would make a real, lasting impact.

Q: What motivated you to pursue a career in renewable energy?
Power cuts were practically a part of my student life, and let’s just say studying in the dark wasn’t fun. That’s when it hit me: reliable electricity isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. I knew I wanted to be part of the solution, not just work a job. While many engineers were heading into oil and gas, I set my sights on renewable energy, convinced that making solar power more affordable could be a real game-changer for Nigeria.

Q: How has the sustainability journey been for you?
My journey kicked off in 2022 with an internship at Agripreneurs’ Youth Program, where I got my hands dirty (literally) working on solar mini-grid installations. But the long commute? That was its own endurance test! So, when I found the InstallHER solar training program in Lagos, I jumped at the chance. It was a game-changer. I sharpened my technical skills and met an amazing group of budding women engineers, and, best of all, it opened doors. Three top renewable energy companies came knocking, and I landed a Frontline Engineer role with a sweet 50% salary boost!

Q: What advice do you have for professionals looking for sustainability jobs?
Sustainability careers aren’t for the faint of heart, they take passion, persistence, and a whole lot of learning. Get your hands dirty (sometimes literally) through internships, training programs, or certifications. Don’t underestimate the power of networking! Connecting with industry pros and joining the right programs can open doors you didn’t even know existed. Most importantly, stay flexible and keep your eyes on the bigger picture. The field is booming, and there’s plenty of room for those willing to go after it.

And for the ladies out there, some think this kind of work isn’t for us, that we’re not “wired” for it. Well, I say let’s prove them wrong!

🔎 Silent signals – Who might be hiring soon

These companies have announced funding or expansion plans, often signalling upcoming hiring needs. Stay ahead by following their social media pages and keeping an eye out for job postings as they scale their operations.

• MPower Ventures secures $2.7M to expand solar solutions across Africa. With fresh funding, MPower will likely hire talent in solar installation, sales, and technical support as it scales operations in underserved regions.

• Mirova backs KOKO for clean cooking expansion in Kenya and Rwanda. As KOKO grows its clean cooking fuel network, expect hiring in logistics, customer service, and tech development to support distribution and smart fuel dispensers.

• Norfund injects $33M into AFGRI to strengthen South Africa’s agricultural services. This investment could drive recruitment in agribusiness operations, supply chain management, and farm technology as AFGRI expands its services.

• KarmSolar & Daltex expand Egypt’s solar grid for agriculture. As the partnership scales solar energy in agribusiness, job openings may emerge in solar engineering, infrastructure development, and agricultural energy management.