A Nigerian lawyer, economist and energy sector analyst, Tengi George-Ikoli, has been named amongst the 2025 list of 101 women in the world unlocking climate and providing sustainable solutions.
Tengi George-Ikoli is the Nigerian Country Manager for the Natural Resource Governance Institute. She has over a decade experience in the governance of oil, gas, and mining governance.
As Country Manager, Tengi leads the Nigeria Programme, providing technical assistance, capacity development, and policy analysis to oil, gas, and mining-focused government institutions, non-governmental organisations, civil society, media, and communities as Nigeria navigates its energy transition.
She shapes public discourse and drives policy reforms focused on achieving people-centered energy transitions, catalyzing transition finance, right-sizing gas ambitions, diversifying energy and economy systems, and advancing a just, equitable, and sustainable energy transition.
Prior to working at NRGI, she played a pivotal role in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in her role as Programme Coordinator under the Nigeria Natural Resource Charter (NNRC) targeted at strengthening legal, regulatory frameworks and revenue management, reducing environmental and socioeconomic impacts and enhancing community beneficiation.
Tengi holds an LLM Master’s in Commercial Law from the University of Bristol and a joint honors LLB Law and Economics from the University of Wales. Tengi served on the Global Council; Global Reach Seat of the Resource Justice Network (RJN) formerly Publish What You Pay (PWYP), a civil society movement of more than 1,000 organisations working to improve natural resource governance. She served on the Methane Financing Working Group (MFWG) launched at COP28 and was recognised by Fin-Earth Awards on their 2025 List of 101 Leading Women in Climate and SEVA as one of the Women Leading Nigeria’s Green Energy Transition.
In appreciation, Tengi thanks SEVA Centre for Development Initiatives (SEVA CDI) for the honour of being named among the “Women at the Heart of Nigeria’s Green Transition” alongside Anita Otubu Omiesam Ibanibo making significant strides to drive an #energytransition that is just, equitable and sustainable for the African continent.
She said: “This recognition reminds me why this work matters and why representation and inclusion are essential for the future we hope to build. I consider it a privilege to work on issues that resonate within an organisation Natural Resource Governance Institute whose vision and purpose align with my raison d’etre; to leave the world better than I found it.
“As Nigeria navigates the complex path toward a just, equitable and sustainable energy transition, I am encouraged by the growing visibility and influence of women across sectors. Recently, we’ve seen important conversations about creating more space for women in Parliament and public leadership. These shifts matter. When women participate meaningfully in decision making, from national to resource governance, the outcomes are more representative, resilient and responsive to needs of citizens and the underserved, communities, youth, women and people with disabilities.
“I’m grateful to be part of a network of women whose expertise, courage and leadership continue to shape Africa’s future. Thank you to the colleagues, mentors and partners who walk this journey with me and challenge me to do better every day.
“There is still much work ahead, but there is also momentum. With more women at the table; in Parliament, in boardrooms, and the energy sector, our collective impact will only grow stronger.
Here’s to advancing energy transition in Nigeria and on the continent!”.