By Udeme Akpan

Ikenna Desmond Obumkaneme is already carving a name for himself in Nigeria’s fast-growing renewable energy sector. As the CEO of BrightGrid Innovations Ltd, Ikenna Desmond is changing how Nigerians especially those in cities get their electricity.

“What drives me is the belief that clean energy is a right, not a luxury,” he says. “We’re showing that with the right approach, even the average Nigerian can switch to solar and say goodbye to their generator.”

Ikenna Desmond path into solar wasn’t accidental. After studying abroad and seeing the role of solar in transforming entire communities, he returned to Lagos with one goal: to build local solutions that make renewable energy affordable and accessible.

Since then, BrightGrid has developed a wide range of products. The company is also working on flexible payment systems to make adoption easier for middle- and low-income earners.

 Since its launch in 2019, BrightGrid has become a standout in urban solar deployment providing not just panels, but peace of mind.

“Solar energy isn’t the future,” ikenna Desmond says with a smile. “It’s the present. And Nigeria is ready.”