Valentine Nnamani’s journey into social entrepreneurship began with personal hardship and a relentless drive to improve lives. Growing up in Nigeria with his grandfather, Valentine relied on kerosene lamps for light, a reality that severely impacted their health and quality of life.
“When the sun goes down, my grandpa would tell me to bring out our kerosene lamp so that we can see,” Nnamani said. “It was harming our health badly, but we couldn’t do anything about it, because we were poor, and weren’t able to afford good lighting solutions. At that young age, I built my first lantern that uses non-rechargeable batteries but was not sustainable because batteries were expensive.”
Nnamani witnessed the challenges of energy scarcity and environmental degradation first-hand. Heavy rainfall often led to flooding due to plastic waste clogging drainage systems. In one terrifying incident, Nnamani fell into a flooded gutter, barely escaping with his life. “I could remember a time when I fell into a big gutter taller than me thinking it was the main road. The flood almost carried me, but people came to my rescue. For 13 [minutes] my right leg was paralyzed,” Nnamani recalled. “In 2012, I almost burnt my house completely with candles. While reading, I slept off, and the candle fell on my book. And sadly, this is everyday life for millions of people out there.”
These life-threatening experiences deepened his resolve to create change, especially as he learned of the staggering statistics documenting life in Nigeria, where approximately 92 million people live without access to electricity. Currently, the widespread solution of kerosene lamps contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and lung cancer.
“Almost 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa light their homes using kerosene lamps. This has enormous poverty implications,” Nnamani said. “Kerosene is dim, costs a minimum of $66 per year to keep fueled, pollutes indoor air, creates health problems, and causes fires.”
His drive to address environmental and energy issues led him to pursue a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the Federal University of Technology Owerri. Equipped with this technical knowledge and fueled by passion, he founded OneGrid Energies, a social enterprise dedicated to providing affordable solar energy solutions. “Millions of families lack energy access, and a solar lamp is often the first step families take toward energy security,” he explained. OneGrid Energies offers solar lamps as a safer, more cost-effective alternative to kerosene lamps, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve health, and foster economic empowerment.
His dedication has earned him recognition and support from global initiatives. Valentine has participated in programs like the Yunus & Youth Fellowship and the Because Accelerator, where he refined his business model with guidance from experienced mentors.
“Being an entrepreneur gives me the opportunity to create a positive difference in my community,” he shared. “Working on this cause has helped me realize that it’s not just about me but, most importantly, about how I influence other people’s lives positively.”
Despite the challenges of running a social enterprise, Valentine remains resilient, inspired by the tangible impact he sees. “Sometimes you will feel like crying or giving up,” he said, reflecting on the entrepreneurial journey. “But always remember that success takes time, and time and season differ for everyone.”
Through OneGrid Energies, Valentine Nnamani is lighting a path toward sustainable change. His work exemplifies the transformative power of clean energy in uplifting communities and protecting the environment, offering hope for a brighter future.
