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All On Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Dinner and Fireside Chat Event, Brings Renewable Energy Leaders Together to Shape the Next Decade of Energy Access in Nigeria
Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem came together in Lagos as All On Partnerships for Energy Access hosted its 10th Anniversary Dinner and Fireside Chat, convening leaders from government, development finance institutions, the private sector, development organisations, academia and the renewable energy industry to celebrate a decade of catalytic investment while setting the agenda for the future of energy access in Nigeria.
The evening reflected ten years of building businesses, strengthening markets and expanding access to clean, reliable and affordable energy through collaboration. More importantly, it looked ahead, bringing together some of the sector’s most influential voices to explore how partnerships, innovation and long-term investment can accelerate universal energy access for millions more Nigerians.
Representing the His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu
Executive Governor of Lagos State, the Honourable Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Hon. Biodun Ogunleye, congratulated All On on its ten-year journey, describing the organization as an important contributor to Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem. Delivering the Governor’s goodwill message, he commended All On for demonstrating that underserved communities are not beyond the reach of sustainable investment and reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to creating an enabling policy environment that encourages innovation, investment and private sector participation in the electricity market.
Welcoming guests, Caroline Eboumbou, Chief Executive Officer of All On, reflected on the organization’s evolution from an ambitious vision into one of Nigeria’s leading impact investors and ecosystem builders. She acknowledged the presence of the founding visionary and former Board Chairman, Dr. Osagie Okunbor, the Board of Directors, investees, partners, government institutions and communities whose collective efforts have helped shape All On’s first decade.
Reflecting on the organization’s journey, Eboumbou noted that while capital was essential, experience had shown that expanding energy access required far more than financing businesses alone.
“We realized very quickly that we needed to be more than just an investor. Building this market required us to combine catalytic capital with technical assistance, venture support, ecosystem development and strategic partnerships. That is how lasting impact is created.”
Today, All On’s work has contributed to reaching nearly two million lives, demonstrating what is possible when patient capital is combined with innovation, entrepreneurship and long-term collaboration across the renewable energy ecosystem.
One of the evening’s defining moments was a fireside conversation between Eboumbou and Damilola Ogunbiyi, Chief Executive Officer and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL). Their discussion explored the evolution of Nigeria’s off-grid energy sector over the past decade and the partnerships required to deliver universal energy access across Africa.
Drawing on years of collaboration with All On, Ogunbiyi reflected on the organization’s role in helping shape Nigeria’s renewable energy market, highlighting the importance of institutions that build markets, strengthen businesses and mobilize investment rather than simply financing individual projects. Together, both leaders agreed that while significant progress has been made, the next decade will require even stronger partnerships, continued innovation and sustained investment to ensure that millions more Africans gain access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.
The conversation was followed by an Impact Showcase, where Dalberg presented findings from its independent evaluation of All On’s first decade of work. The assessment highlighted the organization’s contribution to expanding energy access through catalytic investment, venture building, enabling finance and ecosystem development, while demonstrating measurable improvements in business growth, market development and opportunities for underserved communities. The showcase reinforced the impact of an integrated approach that combines investment with long-term market building.
Looking ahead, a second fireside discussion shifted the focus from reflection to the future of Nigeria’s renewable energy sector. Moderated by Abiodun Oni, Chief Executive Officer of FundCo, the panel featured Sandra Dozie, Chief Executive Officer of Salpha Energy and Muhammad Wakil, Country Delivery Lead (Nigeria) for the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). Together, they explored the opportunities and challenges shaping the next phase of Nigeria’s energy transition, highlighting local manufacturing, innovative financing, enabling policy, private sector investment and strategic collaboration as critical drivers of future growth.
The evening also featured a Special Recognition segment celebrating the collaborations that have shaped All On’s first decade. Awards of Excellence were presented to organizations and individuals whose vision, leadership and collaboration have helped strengthen Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem, from pioneering ecosystem development and policy advocacy to advancing innovation, market growth and universal energy access. Honourees included The Rockefeller Foundation, Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), Shell Nigeria, and Dr. Osagie Okunbor, Founding Chairman of the All On Board of Directors.
Closing the evening, All On reaffirmed its commitment to building on the momentum of its first decade. As the organization looks towards the future, its focus remains on mobilizing catalytic capital, strengthening businesses, fostering innovation and deepening partnerships that will accelerate access to clean, reliable and affordable energy for million more Nigerians. The first decade demonstrated what is possible. The next decade will be about scaling that impact.
About All On:
All On Partnerships for Energy Access (All On), an independent impact investing company, was seeded by Shell to catalyze the growth of Nigeria’s off-grid energy market to provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for low-income households and small businesses.
All On provides debt and equity funding, as well as non-financial support, to Nigerian energy companies that align with its mission of closing Nigeria’s access-to-energy gap through renewable energy solutions. Visit https://www.all-on.com/ to learn more. For media enquiries, contact [email protected]
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr Tony Elumelu, expressed his displeasure over the way he was addressed by one of the company’s graduate trainees at an interactive session in a viral video.
The financial institution organised a Graduate Management Accelerated Programme graduation ceremony on Thursday, and the former banker was in attendance.
During a question-and-answer session, one of the graduating trainees stood and called Mr Elumelu by his first name, Tony.
“Good morning, Tony,” she said.
Mr Elumelu initially thought the lady meant to say Toyin, but she repeated “Good morning, Tony,” a development the UBA chairman was not happy about.
He quickly responded by saying, “No, you won’t call me Tony. You’ll call me Mr Elumelu or TOE. You won’t call me Tony, or Chairman. I don’t subscribe to that kind of… Oyinbo life, okay?”
Though without offering any apology for the error, the female graduate trainee subsequently corrected herself, saying, “Good morning, Mr Elumelu,” before proceeding with her question.
The video clip from the event has already generated mixed reactions, with many happy that the business mogul quickly rebuffed the lady.
They described her as rude, fearing she could lose her job for being disrespectful to the chairman of the organisation.
However, some others said calling colleagues by their first names in a corporate ecosystem is not new, as such happens in the banking sector.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has promised to return the payment of subsidies for premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, if he is elected President in 2027.
Mr Atiku is seeking to become Nigeria’s President next year. He is contesting for the position under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The presidential election is slated for January 16, 2027.
Answering questions in a trending interview on social media, the former second citizen of the country said the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu in 2023 has not done Nigerians any good.
According to him, the economy has been in shambles, noting that the subsidy removal is responsible for high living costs in Nigeria.
On Wednesday, the Minister of Finance, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed that the nation saved about N15.8 trillion between June 2023 and December 2025 from the policy, noting that over N10 trillion was made available to the 36 state governments and the 774 local government areas from the savings.
But the ADC presidential candidate was not impressed with this explanation, stressing that there is nothing to show for the purported gains of the policy.
“I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money? Where has the subsidy money gone? Has it been used to improve healthcare, education or security?” he queried.
“If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money,” he declared.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Army has arrested 18 suspected illegal miners at a mining site in Izom, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, recovering equipment and N2.47 million in cash from the operation.
The suspects were arrested by troops of the 102 Guard Battalion during a routine operation in the area, where the soldiers reportedly discovered unauthorised mining activities.
Following the arrests, the army handed over the suspects and recovered items to the headquarters of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining Marshals in Sauka, Abuja, in line with established inter-agency procedures.
The operation is part of intensified efforts by security and regulatory agencies to curb illegal mining, which has been linked to revenue losses, environmental degradation and the unlawful exploitation of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Reacting to the development, the Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja Attah, commended the Nigerian Army for what he described as a strong demonstration of professionalism and commitment to protecting the country’s mineral wealth.
“The Nigerian Army has once again distinguished itself through professionalism, discipline and patriotism. The swift arrest of the suspects and their prompt handover to the Mining Marshals reflect a commendable commitment to the rule of law and the protection of Nigeria’s solid mineral resources,” he said.
Preliminary investigations by the Mining Marshals indicated that the suspects allegedly operated without licences, permits or any affiliation with a registered mining company. Investigators also said they could not produce evidence of valid mineral titles or authorisation from the relevant regulatory authorities.
Items recovered from the mining site included motorcycles, pumping machines, crusher engines, communication devices and cash totalling N2,468,750.
Mr Attah said the Mining Marshals would continue to pursue individuals involved in illegal mining and strengthen intelligence-led operations against activities that undermine the formal mining industry and deprive government of legitimate revenue.
He added that the Corps, under its Commandant-General, Mr Ahmed Audi, remained committed to enforcing the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act and protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources from unlawful exploitation.
The Mining Marshals said the investigation had been concluded and that the 18 suspects were being processed for prosecution under the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
