Jeremiah Ogbondeminu grew up in Madalla, a community on the outskirts of Abuja in Northern Nigeria. As the first member of his family to pursue higher education, his journey was defined by perseverance. To fund his studies and support his parents and three younger siblings, he balanced rigorous academics with menial labor — challenges that instilled in him a work ethic and sense of responsibility that continue to drive him today.
That same determination followed him into his career.
After completing Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps in March 2023, Jeremiah joined the renewable energy sector as a journeyman PV installer, gaining hands-on experience across Abuja. His career reached a pivotal moment when he joined EAUXWELL NIG. LTD, contributing to the deployment of an 8.54MW solar plant in Owerri. Through dedication and technical aptitude, he rose from contract installer to Site Supervisor within eight months.
In November 2025, Jeremiah joined Earthbond Co. as a Technical Solar Project Supervisor. The climate-fintech startup replaces generators with solar energy for Nigerian businesses, a mission that resonated: “This transition was more than a career move,” he says. “It was an alignment of values.”
Through the Johnny Weiss Empowerment Program Fund, Jeremiah received scholarships to two SEI courses: PVOL095: Solar O&M for Large-Scale PV Systems and PVOL202: Advanced PV System Design and the NEC (Grid-Direct). With years of field experience behind him, the courses gave him a framework to build on. “The PVOL095 course has been immensely helpful,” he says. “In my role as a Technical Solar Project Supervisor, having a structured understanding of O&M for large-scale systems is vital for ensuring long-term performance and reliability on the sites I manage.”
But his work goals reach well beyond his current role. Jeremiah’s long-term plan is to transition from field-level supervision to leading community-centric electrification projects that bring reliable power to underserved neighborhoods and small enterprises across Northern Nigeria.
“My passion has always been to harness the power of the sun to create a positive impact in my local community,” he says. “I am determined to be more than just an installer. I aim to be a project lead who can design and execute complex energy transitions that lift families out of energy poverty.”
SEI is proud to support Jeremiah’s journey through the Johnny Weiss Empowerment Program Fund — and to be part of the work he’s doing to build a more solarized Nigeria.
Stories like Jeremiah’s are made possible by donors like you. Support the Johnny Weiss Empowerment Program Fund today.
