Q: Tell us your background and when you first became interested in energy?  
A: I grew up in the south-western part of Nigeria. One of my very first memories around energy was as a preschooler, when my parents powered our home by storing electricity from the grid during the day and releasing it from batteries at night. I remember a neighbour asking how my parents got to power our home silently when everyone had their own loud generating set. My parents had chosen a safer and cleaner option.

About a decade later, I studied electrical and electronics engineering. During a university visit, I had the opportunity to discuss the energy industry with an alumnus. After performing additional research, I started building a career in that line. I completed my masters (MPhil in engineering at the University of Cambridge) in the UK, and that was what attracted me to live here.

Q: How did you first hear about the Energy Institute (EI) and what motivated you to join?  
A: I started following EI activities closely in 2020 through an encounter with a Young Professionals Network (YPN) Lead – Kelvin Emunah. I had been looking for an energy-specific professional organisation to join, in addition to being a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). I eventually joined EI in 2022 and have been active since then.

Q: How has being an AMEI benefitted you in your career?  
A: Since joining, I have acquired Interim Chartered Engineer status, grown my network and received regular updates about the sector. A Chartered Engineer is more recognised for their work in application and development of engineering. I had to pass through interim status because I needed it as a pathway to full Chartership, and due to my degrees not being accredited.

I have benefitted from the EI mentor [EI Connect] service on two different occasions, most notably during my Chartership application. In addition, the EI’s newsletter affords me the chance to keep up to date on the progress of energy transition.

To build a similar and supportive energy environment for others and recognising the gap in the Midlands, I currently serve as the first Chair of the West Midlands YPN.

Q: Can you tell me more about that?  
A: I believe the EI YPN communities have a better chance at engaging and addressing the needs of energy professionals, members or not. Without one of these YPN communities, I may never have been interested in EI.

But the most active branch close to me was more than three hours away, which meant I could not attend events in person. When nothing had changed after several years, I decided to do something about it. So, I initiated and set up a YPN, so other young professionals do not have to face the situation that I had to. It’s been a journey of almost nine months now from just me having the idea to tens of young professionals (YPs) participating and showing interest.

For me, a YPN means being able to tap into a community to share my energy journey, growing with other YPs together and connecting on energy matters which are crucial today and in the future.

Q: Tell us about your current job, and industry and how your work is contributing toward a just transition to net zero?   
A: Today, I am an Energy Consultant with Arup. I work with clients taking actions and delivering projects with a focus on energy transition and net zero. This ranges from renewable energy adoption, utilities infrastructure and project management to decarbonisation strategy. Every project is unique and the opportunity to work on large-scale projects with wide-ranging impact is what makes energy so interesting for me.

I have realised that decision making is quite a key factor in achieving those energy transition goals we hear of in the news, across companies and in different organisations. Hence, my role is to support these decisions with appropriate insights and resources, and to be a thought leader in the future. I want to be part of the decision-making process that will affect the future of energy. If there is something about me, it is that if there is no path, I will create one.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are strictly those of the author only and are not necessarily given or endorsed by or on behalf of the Energy Institute.