GLORY OGUEGBU: My Ultimate Goal is to Contribute to Zero Carbon Africa

Women ENTERPRENEURS 2

Founder and CEO of Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute (RETTI), Ms. Glory Oguegbu’s passion for renewable energy began after her parents moved to another part of town, a quiet community, where they had built their home. This place was without electricity connections and totally off-grid. This inspired her to begin the search for a sustainable electricity solution for her parents. Oguegbu, who is also the founder of RETTI Virtual University and Glow Initiative for Economic Empowerment, a non-profit organisation is using her Solar UP Nigeria Programme to reach off-grid communities with access to electricity such as their recent project – Solar for Schools Community Project which powered a rural school with solar enabling kids study computer. She has received numerous awards and recognition, which include the Nigerian Star from the US Mission in Nigeria (2019), The Young Energy Professional of the Year Award by Nigeria Energy Awards (2018). In the course of her work, she has met with a number high-profile personalities and global leaders including President Barack Obama and Ethiopian President, Ms Sahle-Work Zewde. In this interview with Oyinlola Sale, Oguegbu talks about her professional journey and how she become very passionate about renewable energy especially solar and why she decided to invest in educating the people about renewable energy

How did the RETTI initiative start?

I felt sad watching my parents spend money every day to fuel the generator. It was hectic, expensive, not environmentally friendly and not sustainable.

This made me take a walk around the community searching for a solution. Then I came across a health center with solar panels installed. An inquiry from within revealed it stopped functioning a long time ago and the people believed that solar doesn’t work. I discovered then that this is an issue with lack of trained installers, beneficiaries who do not understand the system and use of fake or inferior products.

I then created the Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute (RETTI) to correct this issue. The institution’s two focal area is to prepare a competent workforce that will be employed by renewable energy companies and to equip entrepreneurs who will promote access to electricity in their communities through their businesses.

Education is more than teaching and writing on the board. It’s about the teaching style, like hands-on practicals, role play, simulations, outside engagement which enables participant to actually learn what is being thought.

It’s the reason why we have launched RETTI Virtual University to enable even more people get access to solar education which enables them create solar solutions to electricity problems around them or find a job in a solar company with their certificates.

RETTI is actually more concerned about what happens to the participant after their training. We established the Growth Support Plan for the trained participants who get inducted into the alumni. Through this plan, they get access to internship and apprenticeship slots, interview preparations, seminars and access to upskilling trainings.

Congratulations on the Launch of the first Online University for Renewable Energy Education. Why did you think it was important to create an online school for solar education?

We discovered that many people search for our name – Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute (RETTI) on Google where they find our number and call us, but seem disappointed after we mention that we are not in their city. So we have created a platform where you can learn the same exact at your own pace with instructors available online to guide you. The world is going virtual. Education has followed suit. Our courses are clear video lesson designed and recorded to aid the participants understanding. Give it a trial and see. The courses can be accessed through this link: courses.retti.com.ng/.

What’s Interesting about RETTI Virtual University is it’s robust alumni platform. Growing and establishing in the Renewable Energy sector will not be very easy for you if you want to do it alone. So we provide a soft landing through our Alumni community which include seasoned professionals in the solar Industry 45 of whom have created own thriving and profitable solar business such as Modtech Technologies, SIEL, Step Power Energy, Calebson Energy, A+Crystal Energy, ASKO Solar, Sunsage,, Wattcore Energy, Ar’Rasaq Technical Services,Clean Energy Trust, to mention but a few. Our alumni is also currently working with reputable solar companies like First Electric, Clean Tech Hub, Pallette NG, Proverbs Energy etc. Many of them are able to thrive because of the Growth Support Plan created for all alumni at no cost.

RETTI is two years old. As CEO of RETTI, what would you say are your three biggest achievements in this last two years?

Since inception in February 2019, we have trained and supported 162 Nigerians as solar installers and engineers. 45 of them have created their own solar businesses, and 25 have been employed in solar Companies.

We have mentored and provided opportunities for nearly 500 solar engineers in Nigeria through our REEN Connect initiative (Renewable-energy Engineers and Entrepreneurs Connect which was created to provide support and guidance to renewable energy entrepreneurs and engineers administered through a tech platform and includes monthly virtual trainings on areas of difficulties faced by the entrepreneurs in the sector. Making a total of nearly 700 young Nigerians who have been prepared for work in the renewable energy sector.

Collectively, our trained alumni has provided up to 250, 000 W (250KW) of solar electricity to 1213 homes and Businesses offsetting 471 ton of C02 and have employed 50 new persons increasing economic development through job creation and access to electricity.

Who inspires you?

I am really inspired by Elon Musk. When I look at what he has built, its impact and reach, I wonder how he did it. I have learned from him that failure and rejection are necessary ingredients that came together to achieve success, especially in his story.

My role models are Tsai Ing-Wen, the President of Taiwan. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of World Trade Organisation and Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations.

Teach me something I don’t already know

Building a new income stream is easier than you thought. Look around you, sound your street, amongst your friends. Do you find a common problem that has to do with lack of electricity? Starting a solar side hustle has been made easy through the RETTI Virtual University’s course titled – How to Start a Profitable Solar Business.

Let’s make this a bit more interesting. Pitch your services to me as if you’re in a sales meeting

Haahaha! Were you surprised at my laughter? That’s exactly how I laugh at people who have not realised the massive opportunities to make impact and at the same time make money in the solar sector. The solar industry is wide and complex, but #RETTI is here to make it simpler and easier.

Investments into the solar Industry hit a peak of USD $330 billion in 2015 (IRENA) and this has created massive opportunities for people to be employed as installers or to create their solar businesses and leverage this funding. RETTI has been created to prepare you take your place in the solar industry.

I think you’re remarkable. To constantly be crushing goals in a male-dominated industry is very commendable. But give me one word that describes you.

Excellence! Over the years, I have imbibed the culture of excellence. I work extra hard to make sure that our programmes and courses turn out excellently and achieve the very goal that it had been set to achieve. I also see this rubbing off on the quality of graduates that we turnout. They go ahead doing really big things and helping to promote access to renewable energy electricity which has been my goal from time.

What is your goal?

My ultimate goal is to contribute to a zero carbon Africa and attain a sustainable world. My passion for Renewable Energy started due to my climate advocacy. I have authored four books to promote the awareness of climate change for secondary schools and the adult public. My books are as follows: Our Changing World; Understanding Climate Change both Junior and Senior Secondary School Version; The Concept and Science of Climate Change, They Year Ran Mad. I recently launched my latest book – How to Make Money from Solar.

Through these, I advocate about climate change and the importance of Renewable energy. I am working to build a group of renewable energy entrepreneurs who will promote solar electricity thereby reducing carbon emissions.