Emeka Okpukpara is a Partner at Nextier Power, The Nextier Capital, where he leads a team focused on solving the power challenges in Africa’s power sector.

Emeka is an expert development consultant with over sixteen years of experience in risk management, finance and international development. In addition, he oversees the USAID-funded Technical Support Programme, the Nigeria Power Sector Programme, the FCDO Advisory Facility, and UKNIAF.

Prior to this position, Emeka worked as a Technical Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Power at the Federal Ministry of Power in Nigeria. He also served on the critical national assets committee as a liaison to the Minister’s team and with risk assessment for various units within the ministry. Before his role at the Ministry of Power, he spent almost a decade working for a risk management firm in different roles focusing on client retention.

Emeka has also worked on several Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for clients in various sectors.

Busayo is a Policy and Research Analyst at Nextier Power, holding a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Covenant University. She is dedicated to advancing socioeconomic development in rural African communities through impactful research and innovative solutions. Busayo’s work supports various projects for prominent organizations such as IFC, AfDB, UKNIAF, FCDO, GIZ, World Bank, USAID, and African Climate Foundation (ACF). She plays a key role in establishing and managing the Nigerian Wind Energy Council (NWEC) with support from the Global Wind Energy Council, ACF, and other local stakeholders. Additionally, Busayo has facilitated energy transition discussions with experts through The Electricity Hub’s Power Dialogue.

Emmanuel is a skilled professional with extensive experience in research, energy management, and program management within the clean energy and electricity sectors. He holds a PhD in Energy Studies with a specialization in Electricity Economics from the University of Ibadan. Over the years, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions through his roles at Nextier Capital, where he currently serves as a Research and Policy Analyst for Clean Energy Transition in the Power Team.

Emmanuel is responsible for delivering technical insights, evaluating sustainable energy solutions, and supporting key initiatives, including the UK Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), USAID power projects, and All On off-grid business projects.

His work involves the development of policy recommendations, research publications, and strategic engagement with clients and stakeholders, which are crucial for driving the firm’s clean energy objectives. Emmanuel’s expertise extends to both off-grid and on-grid energy projects. He is known for his analytical approach, strong work ethic, and commitment to advancing the energy sector in Nigeria.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History and International Studies from the University of Jos, Plateau State, and a Programs Management for Development Professionals certification from APMG International. She has worked as a project manager on several donor-funded projects, successfully managing initiatives funded by FCDO, USAID, FMOP, OSIWA, and WaterAid. Currently, she serves as a Policy and Research Analyst for Nextier Power, supporting and managing policy projects such as the National Integrated Electricity Policy.

As an embedded consultant from Nextier to the Federal Ministry of Power, Jessica continues to contribute to Nigeria’s electricity sector development. Her skills span stakeholder and government relations, project design and implementation, proposal and research writing, monitoring and evaluation, as well as community mapping and mobilization.

Magnus Eminue holds a Higher National Diploma in Electrical/Electronics Engineering from Federal Polytechnic Oko and a Postgraduate Diploma in the same field from the University of Uyo. With over seven years of experience in the utility industry, Magnus has a proven track record in leadership and management, characterized by exceptional work ethic, self-discipline, and integrity.

He has developed extensive technical and commercial expertise, effectively managing complex challenges and fostering key relationships with customers and colleagues at Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), leading to significant revenue growth and sustainability. Currently, as a Policy Research Analyst, Magnus supports the development of the Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) for Anambra and Katsina States, sponsored by Power Africa’s Nigeria Power Sector Program (PA-NPSP).

Edwin is an experienced data scientist with over five years of expertise in implementing data-driven business intelligence solutions to improve efficiency, accuracy, and profitability. He is skilled in predictive modeling, data processing, data mining, and scripting languages like Python and JavaScript. Edwin has led teams in developing R&D pipelines, redesigned data models to achieve cost savings, and increased revenue by 15%.

Additionally, he created a customer acquisition strategy that boosted inbound leads by 30% and reduced churn by 25%. His expertise spans advanced analytics, machine learning, and operations optimization within the power and utility sector, with proficiency in Python, SQL, MS Excel, Power BI, and machine learning.

Chinedu holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Delta State, and an Executive MBA from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife. With over five years of experience in the Nigerian power sector, Chinedu has a proven track record in operations and maintenance engineering, having worked with Ikeja Electric PLC. He is currently a Senior Policy Research Analyst at Nextier, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping energy policy and infrastructure development.

Chinedu’s expertise includes managing distribution network planning, rehabilitation, commissioning, and expansion projects to enhance grid energy capacity. His work at Nextier has been instrumental in advancing several high-impact power projects through strategic collaboration with key government stakeholders, driving energy growth and significant infrastructure investments.

Ruth Ephraim holds a Master of Science in Agronomy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. With a strong foundation in data analysis, she has developed expertise in tools like Power BI and SQL, as well as programming skills in Python and R. Ruth’s work experience includes her role as a Data Policy Analyst at Nextier Power, where she contributed to business intelligence and data governance initiatives for projects with UKNIAF, NERC, and REA. As a Data Science Fellow at Click-On Kaduna, she played a key role in government health reform strategies through data analysis.

Ruth’s background also includes hands-on experience in agricultural consulting, project management, and process optimization, making her skilled at translating complex data into actionable insights that drive business and community development.

Eloho works with the Nextier Power Team as a Senior Policy and Research Analyst, providing legal advice on navigating contractual agreements and related issues. She holds a law degree from the University of Leicester, a master’s degree in International Maritime Law from Swansea University, and is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association. Her professional experience spans the Maritime, Banking & Finance, Energy sectors, and Litigation Practice.

Beyond her legal expertise, Eloho is passionate about literature and creative writing, with her work featured in various international and domestic online magazines and journals.

Ismail Muhammedawal Olamilekan is a Data Analyst intern at Nextier Power. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Physics from the Federal University of Technology Minna. With expertise in data management, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, Muhammedawal is skilled in using tools like Excel, Python, Pandas, and Power BI to gather, clean, and analyze data. His precise approach ensures data accuracy and quality, enabling him to extract insights and identify trends that support informed decision-making.

Joy Mampak is a Policy Research Intern at Nextier Power with a master’s degree in Energy and Environment from the University of Ibadan and a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Covenant University. Passionate about environmental enhancement and sustainable energy practices, she conducts in-depth research on energy policy and environmental issues.

Joy regularly produces insightful articles that strengthen the company’s thought leadership. She also supports the project management team by meticulously recording meeting notes and tracking key details and action items. Her education, experience, and dedication make her a valuable asset to Nextier’s mission of promoting sustainable energy solutions.