Ubong Essien, PhD, University of Strathclyde

Q: Tell us your background? What inspired you to become interested in energy from an engineering perspective? 

A: I grew up in Akwa Ibom State in South Nigeria. As a child, I was endlessly fascinated by how things worked – especially machines. I remember learning about atmospheric pressure and vacuum in science class and being captivated by how such invisible forces could move pistons in a syringe or lift a car using a jack. I must have been around 11 or 12 years old when I began asking questions like, ‘Why do we still need people to operate these machines manually – shouldn’t there be a simple robot to do that?’  

This early curiosity led me to study mechanical engineering at university. However, it was during my Masters in Production Engineering, completed in 2017, that I encountered the broader question of sustainability. There, I focused on valorising agricultural waste for energy – my first step into the world of sustainable energy.  

Q: How did you first hear about the Energy Institute and what motivated you to join? 

I first heard about the Energy Institute at the All-Energy and Decarbonisation Conference in Glasgow in 2023. At the time, I was actively seeking a professional network that aligned with my passion for sustainable energy and could support my growth as a PhD researcher.   

The Energy Institute instantly stood out for its accessible learning resources, particularly through the EI Academy, and the opportunity to join the Young Professional Network (YPN) in my region. I saw a platform that offered learning pathways and fostered collaboration, leadership, and career development. The day after the conference, I registered as a student member.

Q: Tell us about your degree? 

A: I am currently writing the thesis for my PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. My research focuses on developing perovskite-based catalysts for electrocatalytic processes such as water electrolysis, nitrate reduction and ammonia decomposition – key technologies for converting surplus renewable electricity into clean, storable fuels and sustainable chemicals. These processes are vital to achieving a just and practical transition to net zero. 

I hope to build a career that bridges scientific innovation with industrial application. I want to help scale emerging technologies and ensure they are accessible, equitable and impactful in addressing global energy challenges. I am an entrepreneurially-minded individual. I have been awarded the Strathclyde Inspire Ambassador of the Year 2025 Award, and was shortlisted for the Converge Hydrogen Challenge 2025. I am on my way to building my own start-up company, Hyzience, which will focus on providing the world with innovative catalysts for green hydrogen production from ammonia cracking.  

Q: How has being a student member benefitted you in your studies? 

A: One of the most significant benefits has been my active involvement as the Student Ambassador on the Energy Institute Southern Scotland Young Professionals Network (YPN) Committee. This role has provided me with practical leadership experience, as I’ve helped to plan and organise events such as the Queen’s Quay Heat Pump industrial visit (held on 8 May), professional networking sessions and wider committee activities.  

Engaging with other members, attending regional events, and collaborating across disciplines prepared me well to speak as a panellist at the All-Energy 2025 Conference in Glasgow, where I shared my research journey and perspectives on empowering early-career professionals.  

Temoefe C Jaho-Kagabre, University of Ibadan, Lagos, Nigeria

Q: Interestingly, you do not have a traditional engineering-related energy background but are training to become a lawyer. What inspired you to get involved in the energy business?  

A: I have been fascinated by the potential of electricity, ever since growing up, like many in Africa, with very inconsistent energy at home. Indeed, the local utility – the Power Holding Company of Nigeria – was only able to provide about 30 hours of electricity a month.  

Searching for a career, I realised that energy could be worthwhile, since I had experienced the stark difference between having only intermittent access to light at home and the pleasures of studying with a regular power supply in my university community. Also, coming from an oil-producing country, this decision seemed pretty solid for me.  

Q: However, you took a law degree rather than an engineering degree; why?

A: I am passionate about making a difference to people’s lives, and studying law seemed to be the best route. Combined with my love for sustainability, joining the energy sector seemed to satisfy the best of both worlds.   

As an undergraduate, I studied oil and gas in my final year, giving me an opportunity to understand the industry and learn about the promotion of rural electrification and sustainability for all.  

It has been an exciting time to explore how electricity – and the absence of it – impacts everyone, especially rural communities in Africa. And how electrification can help bridge the gap between small settlements and the grid, while drawing comparisons with other areas of jurisdiction. I am currently studying for Law School Bar 2, with a focus on ESG [environmental, social and governance] advocacy.   

Q: How did you come to hear of the Energy Institute and what impact is it having on your life and career? 

A: I discovered the EI through LinkedIn and have benefitted greatly from webinars and seminars that connect me with a community of seasoned professionals. EI student membership has given me real exposure and engagement with the energy sector. I have gained exposure to the energy industry during the transition, which has influenced my perception, rather than simply looking at theoretical descriptions in class.  

What’s more, I heard of the Women in Energy Network, and later while volunteering at the last Sustainability Conference in Lagos, I joined the WEN Network, which is really empowering.   

Last year, I joined a team of EI Young Professionals to do a school outreach, committed to teaching secondary students about the potential of the energy sector, presenting the AMBIZERO workshop. It felt like coming full circle with the next generation. 

 I was also President of The Energy Club at the University of Ibadan, leading a team of 50 students from diverse disciplines, and co-hosting a clean energy conference with the Society of Petroleum Engineers and over 150 participants and facilitators from legal and engineering fields. 

I am confident that my membership of the EI will help shape me as an energy professional, building sustainability here in Nigeria and globally.  

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