Events Green Finance for Schools in Nigeria: Challenges, Opportunities and Practical Solutions
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Nigeria's education sector serves millions of children and young people, yet schools continue to face significant operational challenges, including unreliable electricity supply, increasing fuel costs, and rising expenses associated with delivering quality education.
For many schools, energy has become one of the largest operational costs. Frequent power outages often require dependence on generators and other expensive alternatives to support teaching, administration, security, and digital learning activities. While renewable energy solutions such as solar power systems offer a pathway to cost savings, improved resilience, and environmental sustainability, access to these solutions remains limited due to financing barriers.
Through its ongoing engagement with schools and insights gathered through initiatives such as the School Leadership Academy (SLA), Opportunity International EduFinance has identified growing demand among school operators for clean energy and sustainable infrastructure investments. However, many schools continue to face challenges accessing affordable financing to implement these solutions.
This webinar will bring together financial institutions, school leaders, investors, policymakers, development partners, and green energy providers to discuss practical approaches for expanding access to green finance within Nigeria's education sector.
Date and Time: Thursday, September 24, 2026, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM WAT
Participants will gain insights into:
- Current energy needs and practices among schools in Nigeria
- Emerging opportunities for green finance within the education sector
- Key barriers preventing schools from accessing clean energy financing
- Practical experiences and lessons from school engagement activities
- Opportunities for collaboration between schools, lenders, investors, and solution providers
- Sustainable pathways for scaling green finance solutions
Meet our Panellists:
- Ibitoye Sampson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Winly Educational Services and Schools Ltd.
Mr. Ibitoye Samson is an education leader, school proprietor, and technology and financial services professional with more than a decade of experience in the development and administration of private educational institutions in Nigeria. He holds a Second Class Upper degree in Chemistry Education from the University of Ilorin and currently serves as Principal Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Winly Educational Services and Schools Ltd., where he provides leadership focused on academic quality, sustainability, and access.
Beyond school leadership, Mr. Samson serves as Ekiti State Coordinator of Edify, an international Christian organization working with Christian-owned private school networks, and as Ekiti State Coordinator of the BrainWealth Project, an international NGO supporting educational development across 193 countries. He has therefore gained practical exposure to school governance, infrastructure development, and access to financing for private school owners.
He also brings years of experience in banking and technology consultancy. He is an Executive Director of Silicon Gate Software Ltd. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and a Gold Member of the British Project Professional (BPP).
- Abiola Onakomaya, Chief Operating Officer (COO), FINCA MFB LTD.
Abiola Onakomaya is the Chief Operating Officer at FINCA Microfinance Bank Limited, with over 10 years of experience in microfinance banking, specializing in credit administration, debt recovery, business development, customer experience, and performance management.
He began his career at Accion Microfinance Bank as a Loan Officer and progressed to Branch Manager and Product Analyst, gaining extensive experience in credit management, product development, business development, and marketing strategy.
Abiola holds a Bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance from Olabisi Onabanjo University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Finance at the University of Lagos. He is an Associate Chartered Banker (ACIB) and Microfinance Certified Banker (MCIB) of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), with additional certifications in Business Development and Entrepreneurship Development.
With his blend of strategic, operational, and technical expertise, Abiola brings a strong understanding of microfinance banking and a demonstrated ability to drive business growth, operational efficiency, portfolio quality, and sustainable performance.
- Chinenye Alaribe, Executive Director / Chief Operating Officer (COO), HASAL Microfinance Bank Ltd.
Chinenye Alaribe is the Executive Director / Chief Operating Officer (COO) of HASAL Microfinance Bank Ltd. He is a Certified Microfinance Practitioner, Business Consultant, and Chartered Accountant with over 25 years of experience in the financial services sector, spanning wholesale and retail banking, pension administration, and capital markets operations.
Prior to joining HASAL Microfinance Bank Ltd., he worked with Associated Discount House Limited (now Coronation Merchant Bank Ltd.), where he gained experience in customer relationship management and banking operations. He subsequently joined Oak Pensions Limited, where he was part of the team that pioneered the company’s establishment in 2006, serving as Assistant Regional Head for the Northern Region.
He also worked with The Nigerian Stock Exchange, where he was involved in packaging major listings on the floor of the Exchange. His extensive experience across banking, pensions, and capital markets has equipped him with a broad understanding of financial services operations and business development.
Chinenye is an alumnus of the MBA programme at the University of East London.
We invite you to be part of this important discussion and contribute to shaping practical solutions that can expand access to green finance for schools across Nigeria.
Register today and join us on 24 September 2026.
NB: Spanish and French interpretation will be available