Recently, we heard from Jennifer Oiji, a Business Development Associate in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Solar Sister Associates play a crucial role in recruiting, training, and supporting entrepreneurs throughout their entire journey as they establish and manage their businesses. Along with providing monthly training to the Sisterhood Groups in their respective regions, they also serve as business mentors, offering continuous support to the entrepreneurs.
I am Jennifer Oiji, a Business Development Associate for Nasarawa State, Nigeria. I have been with Solar Sister since November 2017. Having lived all of my life in the North Centre part of the country, where little or no opportunities are given to women in all the sectors due to cultural beliefs and stereotypes, I consider my role as a great actor in advocacy for women’s empowerment, especially in the energy sector.
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to interact with women from different communities, guiding and supporting them to start their own renewable energy businesses. Each community has its peculiarities and diversities, and it’s amazing to witness the adaptive skills within me that I didn’t even realize I possessed until now.
It brings me great joy to give these women support on a daily basis. During our monthly training, it’s usually a fun time where the women catch up with each other, and great ideas are shared. Seeing how these women have developed confidence in me makes me feel deeply responsible for their growth. Some entrepreneurs began with small businesses, but with my coaching and mentorship, they have grown to double their sales and even become Champions.
The impact stories shared by these women are truly inspiring: how they have overcome financial hardships by generating profits from their solar businesses, and they now use that income to support their families. Over the years, my passion for women’s empowerment has only grown stronger. I have seen how they act as key players, bringing about equitable transformation to their communities through sales of Solar Sister renewable energy products and clean cookstoves.
“My inspiration is seeing women entrepreneurs champion the transition of their communities from high-carbon emitting energy sources to cleaner renewable and affordable energy products.”
As a Business Developer, I face different challenges, and security here in regions of Nigeria is one of the main issues. An incident still fresh in my mind occurred last year when a bike rider carried me on the wrong route so his friends, who were waiting in the bushes, could rob me or worse. It would have been terrible if not for the intervention of one of my entrepreneur’s sons riding behind us. The matter was reported to the community head, who sanctioned the bike rider.
The farming season, which runs from March to September, also poses a challenge for entrepreneurs due to decreased sales. The people of Nasarawa state are predominantly farmers. So, during the farming season, my entrepreneurs face declining sales because people invest a lot of money in farming activities. To counteract this seasonal downturn, my entrepreneurs and I implement strategies to overcome the decline in sales. One of our strategies is looking for new markets to showcase our products and partner with trusted individuals endorsed by the community head for installment payments.
To advocate for Gender Equity and Social Inclusion in the renewable energy sector, I have invested in personal development in this area. I am a member of a USAID Inter_agency Collaboratory and Advisory working group on Gender Equity and Social Inclusion. I recently obtained a certificate in a Just Transition Programme. I am currently studying for my Master’s in Gender Studies. I have applied for a Women in Leadership Development course and put in for a fellowship on Just Transition and green jobs in Italy.
This skill will make me more relevant in the sector and more effective on the job.