Ridwan Abdulganiyi is a climate change and clean energy professional with extensive experience across climate policy, renewable energy systems, clean cooking solutions, sustainable finance, and public-sector governance. His work sits at the intersection of research, policy advisory, capacity building, and entrepreneurship, with a strong focus on Nigeria’s and Africa’s low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways.

Ridwan is the Founder of Ilion Energy Company Ltd, a renewable energy and sustainability startup committed to accelerating access to clean energy technologies, including innovative clean cooking and e-cooking solutions. Through Ilion Energy, he works to attract international grants, climate finance, and strategic partnerships that advance energy access, emissions reduction, and inclusive socio-economic development.

He has professional experience in both the private and public sectors, having served as Operations Manager at Hinata Energy, and as Personal Assistant and Private Secretary to the Accountant General of Kwara State, where he gained in-depth exposure to public financial management, institutional governance, and fiscal operations. He also currently advises the Commissioner of Finance of Kwara State on sustainable finance, supporting the integration of climate and sustainability considerations into fiscal planning and policy frameworks.

Ridwan has been actively involved in Nigeria’s climate policy-making and implementation processes, contributing to initiatives and dialogues on renewable energy, waste management, air quality, clean cooking, and climate governance. He has delivered and supported multiple capacity-building programs for policymakers, civil society actors, and private-sector stakeholders on climate policy, renewable energy deployment, and environmental management.

In recognition of his leadership and impact in environmental management, Ridwan is a recipient of the Top Outstanding Young Person of the Year (TOYP) Award in the Environmental Management category, conferred by Junior Chamber International (JCI)—a globally respected leadership organization founded over a century ago in the United States and operating across more than 100 countries. JCI’s distinguished members include global leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, Kofi Annan, and Ban Ki-moon, underscoring the prestige and international standing of the award.

Ridwan is an aspiring climate negotiator and has applied to advanced leadership and diplomacy programs in climate governance and negotiations. He is particularly committed to translating global climate commitments into practical, scalable solutions that improve livelihoods, protect vulnerable communities, and strengthen institutional capacity.

Overall, Ridwan brings a rare combination of policy insight, technical expertise, research depth, and entrepreneurial drive, positioning him as a credible and emerging leader within Africa’s clean energy and climate action ecosystem.