Eunice Adewale from Nigeria is OD Young Person of the Month – February 2026 – YOA

Eunice Adewale is an Environmental Scientist and Social Entrepreneur, and the Founder & CEO of Smokeless Briqs Energy Solutions, a clear power startup that produces eco-pleasant smokeless briquettes and stoves for households in off-grid and peri-city communities. She focuses on renewable power, IoT, biomass manufacturing, TEG expertise and sustainable enterprise options.

Background and Work

When my father handed away in 2021, together with the weight of grief, we confronted an surprising monetary wrestle. Unable to afford cooking with fuel, my mom resorted to the historic strategies of cooking with firewood. As she ready our meals, thick plumes of smoke stuffed our kitchen. And each time I stepped in to help, my frustration grew stronger.  But amidst my exasperation, a second of readability dawned upon me. This wasn’t simply our wrestle; it was a actuality for numerous moms throughout the world particularly in rural communities in Nigeria the place Statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that over 98,000 Nigerian ladies die yearly from smokes inhaled whereas cooking with firewood. Which is now the 3^rd highest killer after Malaria and HIV? And Kerosene utilization is the main trigger of Lung Cancer and Leukemia globally solely 47% of tertiary college students in Nigeria have constant entry to dependable electrical energy to cost their cell phones and likewise study at Night.

Successes Thus Far
She started by experimenting with regionally obtainable agricultural waste to provide smokeless briquettes, testing prototypes, and fascinating communities to make sure her options have been sensible and culturally acceptable. Produced and distributed eco-pleasant briquettes and smokeless stoves to households and establishments throughout Nigeria Developed a proprietary TEG Technology that converts warmth from our range into electrical energy for cell phone charging and lighting, Won a number of awards, together with the ACT Foundation Changemakers Innovation Prize and Nigeria Energy Forum Innovation Prize Empowered native ladies as brokers in distribution and gross sales, creating financial alternatives in rural communities

Plans for the Future
Eunice plans to scale manufacturing, broaden distribution networks throughout Nigeria and West Africa, and improve our IoT system to generate carbon credit and promote sustainability whereas addressing power poverty.

Challenges and Responses
Challenges included consciousness, affordability, and adoption limitations amongst goal communities. She overcame these by operating neighborhood demonstrations, coaching native brokers, and providing reasonably priced pricing fashions, making certain the options have been accessible and sensible.

Words of Advice for Young Changemakers
“Start with a problem you are deeply passionate about solving. Listen to the community you aim to serve, be patient, and persist despite challenges. Your impact grows when innovation meets practicality and empathy.”

You can attain Eunice, by way of, Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin
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