When conversations turn to energy and sustainability in Africa, Nigerian entrepreneur Ejiroghene Otuada Udu is steadily earning her place in that space. Her recent recognition as Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 at an international entrepreneurs’ awards ceremony has drawn attention to the work she has been doing in Nigeria’s power and energy sector.
Udu, who leads a company focused on innovative energy solutions, was honoured for her contribution to addressing one of Nigeria’s most persistent challenges: access to reliable and sustainable power. Her work combines business strategy with problem-solving, targeting gaps that affect everyday life, from small businesses to households.
The global award places her among entrepreneurs whose ideas are not only commercially viable but socially relevant. Selected from a pool of innovators across different countries, her recognition highlights how Nigerian-led businesses are increasingly being noticed for impact beyond local markets.
For Udu, the journey has been about building solutions that work within African realities. Rather than replicating foreign models, her approach focuses on adapting innovation to local needs, a factor judges cited in recognising her work. It is this balance between vision and practicality that has helped her stand out in a competitive global field.
Her achievement also reflects a broader shift. More Nigerian women are gaining visibility in sectors traditionally dominated by men, particularly in energy and infrastructure. Udu’s recognition adds to that growing narrative, showing that leadership and innovation are no longer confined to expected spaces.
As Nigeria continues to search for sustainable answers to its energy challenges, stories like hers underline the role of homegrown entrepreneurship in shaping the future. Ejiroghene Otuada Udu’s global recognition is not just a personal milestone; it is another signal that Nigerian innovation is finding its voice and value on the world stage.
