In 2022, Jerome Onoja Okojokwu-Idu, Co-Founder of Majorwaves Energy Report, was honoured with the City People Outstanding Talents Award for his innovative work advancing energy transitions within Indigenous communities. The recognition marked a milestone not only for him personally but also for a wider conversation about how sustainable energy practices can address gaps in social equity and local development.
The City People Outstanding Talents Awards were created to spotlight Nigerians making extraordinary contributions across diverse fields. According to the award call, the aim is to “recognise excellence, innovation, and impact in professional and community-based initiatives.” For Okojokwu-Idu, the award validated years of work dedicated to reshaping how marginalised communities access and benefit from energy resources.
A Stringent Selection That Honours Substance
The City People Outstanding Talents Award is not given lightly. Each year, a rigorous vetting process spanning months of nominations, impact assessments, peer reviews, and vetting by an independent panel is undertaken to identify individuals who embody excellence, resilience, and societal relevance. Out of hundreds of nominees drawn from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the diaspora, only a handful make the final list. Jerome was among that select few, recognised not only for his multifaceted brilliance but also for the sincerity and long-term impact of his contributions.
“It wasn’t just about popularity or media visibility,” said a member of the selection committee. “We were looking for people who have demonstrated exceptional talent that translates into real-world change. Jerome stood out in every metric, consistency, creativity, integrity, and the ability to move people and policy.”
Building a Career Around Environmental Stewardship
Jerome Okojokwu-Idu holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management (MEM) from the University of Lagos. From early on, his academic background shaped a clear professional vision: to align environmental science with social development. Rather than approaching energy strictly from the lens of business or policy, he carved a niche in linking sustainability with local empowerment.
This approach materialised through Majorwaves Energy Report, the media and research platform he co-founded. The outlet has become a resource hub for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and communities alike. Covering developments across renewable energy, oil and gas, and sustainability, Majorwaves Energy Report has provided analysis that bridges technical expertise with public understanding.
Energy Transition as a Social Justice Issue
Okojokwu-Idu’s most distinctive contribution lies in reframing energy transition as more than a technological or economic issue. He emphasises its role in addressing social justice, particularly in Indigenous and rural areas where energy poverty remains severe.
“Energy transition cannot succeed without inclusion,” he has often argued in forums and reports. For him, the movement toward renewables should not replicate inequalities seen in fossil-fuel economies. Instead, it should empower communities historically excluded from decision-making.
Through targeted initiatives, Okojokwu-Idu has worked with Indigenous leaders to explore small-scale renewable solutions—such as solar microgrids—that meet local needs while respecting cultural practices. His team has also facilitated training programs to equip young people with technical skills in renewable energy installation and maintenance. The goal is two-fold: improve access to power while creating economic opportunities.
Why City People Recognised Him
The City People awards are known for honouring achievements that combine vision with tangible outcomes. Okojokwu-Idu’s selection reflected both his thought leadership and the real-world effects of his initiatives.
Judges highlighted:
- Community Impact: Projects that have improved energy access in underserved areas.
- Innovation: Integrating renewable energy with local governance structures.
- Advocacy: Using platforms like Majorwaves to amplify policy debates about inclusivity in energy transition.
By awarding him, City People underscored the importance of bridging industry discourse with grassroots realities.
The Broader Context: Nigeria’s Energy Transition
Nigeria’s energy sector is at a crossroads. With commitments to cut carbon emissions and diversify beyond oil, the government has launched the Energy Transition Plan aimed at achieving net-zero by 2060. Yet progress remains uneven, particularly in rural electrification.
Okojokwu-Idu’s work directly addresses this gap. While national policies focus on large-scale infrastructure, his initiatives prove that localised, community-driven solutions are both feasible and impactful. They also show that energy transition is not only about clean technology but about governance, education, and equitable participation.
A Voice in the Media Landscape
As co-founder of Majorwaves Energy Report, Okojokwu-Idu has leveraged media as a tool for change. The platform’s articles, reports, and events draw attention to topics that might otherwise be sidelined, such as how Indigenous knowledge can shape renewable energy adoption.
Majorwaves has also built bridges between investors, policymakers, and communities by hosting dialogues that highlight perspectives often missing in boardrooms. Through these efforts, Okojokwu-Idu has become both a practitioner and a communicator, making him stand out in an industry often dominated by technical jargon and corporate interests.
Recognition Beyond the Award
The City People award is part of a growing list of acknowledgements Okojokwu-Idu has received. Colleagues describe him as someone who combines academic grounding with practical solutions, refusing to see energy transition as a one-dimensional challenge.
While awards bring visibility, he insists the real reward lies in progress on the ground. “Every household that gains reliable energy access represents true success,” he has said in interviews.
Looking Ahead
Winning the award has placed Okojokwu-Idu in a brighter spotlight, raising expectations about the next phase of his work. In recent statements, he has indicated plans to expand partnerships with international organizations interested in supporting Indigenous-led renewable projects.
He also aims to scale up training programs to ensure more young people see renewable energy as a viable career path. By combining workforce development with community electrification, he envisions a cycle where local expertise sustains local infrastructure.
Conclusion
Jerome Onoja Okojokwu-Idu’s recognition at the 2022 City People Outstanding Talents Award represents more than an individual achievement. It is symbolic of a broader shift in Nigeria’s conversation about energy: a shift toward inclusion, sustainability, and equity.
By centering Indigenous communities in the energy transition, Okojokwu-Idu demonstrates that the move to renewables can be both environmentally sound and socially transformative. His story shows that leadership in the energy sector is not only about managing resources but also about reimagining relationships between technology, people, and the planet.
For the communities gaining light where there was darkness, his award is more than a plaque; it is a recognition that their struggles and resilience are finally part of the national spotlight.
