Timipre Wolo

The inspiring journey of a little African girl with big dreams who has risen to become a woman of impact, helping other young women across the continent to pursue and actualise their dreams of a better future…

The role of gender equality and education of the girl child in shaping the future of African Nations cannot be overemphasized. Whereas women make up more than 50% of Africa’s population, a vast majority of them reside in rural areas and are often exposed to several socio-cultural limitations inimical to their growth. These include; cultural biases resulting from outdated laws, traditions, illiteracy, unemployment, poverty and insecurity on the continent.

In a bid to escape those challenges, young women become victims of early marriage, illegal migration, trafficking, prostitution, rape, drug abuse, etc. and are not able to maximize their potentials, live purposefully and contribute their quota to nation-building. This invariably affects the continent as a whole and Africa will not realise its full capabilities if women and girls on the continent continue to face structural barriers. These barriers are often inadequately or insufficiently addressed in laws, policies, budgets, investments, and interventions at all levels across the continent, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Personally, I often wonder what my life would have been like if my parents had not taught me the value of education or if I didn’t eventually have the privilege of pursuing my educational dreams. Perhaps I would have ended up as a part of the alarming statistics of 130 million out-of-school girls whose dreams, aspirations and potentials may be buried on the continent and around the world. The mere thought of it gives me the shivers, especially in the context of the role I have played in my family, community and country, Nigeria.

Ekowe, Bayelsa State – My village

Ekowe, Bayelsa State – My village

As a little girl growing up in the Niger Delta I had so many dreams of what I wanted to be when I grew up and I was blessed to have parents who did not only teach me to dream big, but told me repeatedly as a child that my dreams were achievable. One of my fondest childhood memories was being selected to receive the Governor of my State during an official visit to the local Government Area Council where my dad was working at the time.

As I welcomed the Governor with a smile, he stooped very low to allow me to place the bouquet of flowers over his head as I was instructed. With a warm smile on his face, he held my tiny fingers in a handshake while the photographers took snapshots. I was fascinated by everything that transpired and recall pulling my mother by the arm and asking her quietly, “Mama, can I be the Governor someday?” My mum met my gaze and responded reassuringly; “Of course you can! You can be anything you want to be when you grow up, provided you take your studies seriously and work hard”.

Those words stuck and in the preceding years, she started having these very adult conversations with me about my future. She would wake me up at very odd hours of the night or very early hours of the morning to speak to me about the future. It was almost as if she was consciously preparing me for a future without her. She repeatedly emphasized the fact that my dreams were achievable if only I would stay focused on my studies and worked hard even if I were to look for her someday and not find her.

Although I did not fully understand this at the time, my mother continually encouraged me to pursue my dreams and supported my aspirations to be a leader. My mum offered reassurance and helped me understand that my ambitions are valid. Those moments were very defining moments in my childhood. I became an unapologetic dreamer and those words became the foundation for building and pursuing my dreams in the preceding years when life took a dramatic and unexpected turn with the loss of my mother.

Timipre selected to welcome and present a bouquet of flowers to a visiting Governor

Timipre receiving the 1st Prize for an interschool’s Essay Writing Competition on National Consciousness

When it came to my education, I held on to the words of my mother and worked hard to remain at the top of my class against all odds. I became obsessed with the dream of becoming a lawyer and someday owning an oil company so I could make life better for my family and then progress to make a positive impact in the world. I was determined that nothing was going to stand in the way of my dreams, not even the harsh treatment being meted out by my stepmom who seemed hell-bent on making life miserable for my siblings and me. There was no one to turn to for help so my dreams became my escape. It was my safe place where I could retreat into and picture what my tomorrow would look like. I didn’t need anyone else to motivate me. The thought of creating a better life for my siblings and I was more than enough motivation for me to stay grounded.

To help lighten the burden on my Dad, I decided to go live with some close relatives with the hope that they would help sponsor my education. Unfortunately, these were dashed and I recognised that I needed to get a job. Balancing school and work was not easy as I was working 12-hour long shifts (8 pm to 8 am) as a receptionist in a hospital, with only enough time to rush home and shower before going to school. Education was my only lifeline, so I was willing to pay the price.

Following my graduation from Rivers State College of Arts and Science (RIVCAS) with an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Law with a Merit, I was admitted directly into 200 level to study law at the Ambrose Alli University, Edo State, Nigeria. Life as a student at university was often a struggle but it did not deter me from chasing my dreams. I hated being pitied so during difficult times, I’d put on a brave face and remained strong. Also, people, including my peers, looked to me for support and encouragement.

As I approached the end of my higher education and thought deeply about my future, I decided I wanted a deeper relationship with God. This moment of self-discovery helped me gain a deeper understanding of the Principles of Faith; some of the values my mother had taught me; education, hard work and faith!

From Nigeria to the world

Precisely 3 months after my first Shiloh experience, in March 2005, while serving as the first elected female national vice president of the National Union of Bayelsa State Students, I got accepted as a youth delegate to the United Nations Youth Assembly held at the UN Head Quarters in New York. My Shiloh experience, acceptance to the Youth Assembly, the funding I received from my State and the exposure I got from representing Nigeria on a global stage, especially given the circumstances, is what I describe today as my very first Turning Point. It is important to note that that singular opportunity changed my perspective about life generally, boosted my faith and confidence, opened a lot of doors for me and ultimately changed the trajectory of my life and by extension my family. I recall purchasing my first parcel of land with the excess of the sponsorship I received, upon my return from the United States.

After successfully graduating from University and fulfilling my dream to become a Legal Practitioner, I proceeded to complete the 1-year compulsory service known as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), to which I continued to maintain my retail business on the side whilst volunteering for the law firm I previously interned for. During my service year, I managed to accumulate enough savings to cover a fraction of my master’s tuition, so I applied to the University of Aberdeen to study for an LL.M in Oil and Gas Law.

My time at the University of Aberdeen turned out to be an incredibly special and pivotal chapter of my life! The University has a diverse community which allowed me to interact with classmates from different parts of the world including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, India, Italy, Spain and South Africa. Moreover, the School has amazing lecturers who are very knowledgeable in the current trends and issues relating to Oil and Gas Law.

As I reached the end of my studies, I felt ready to conquer the world. I had a broader perspective about life, international politics, global governance and a wide range of other issues. I became even more conscious of being the change I wanted to see in my community, country and world at large but I felt that the starting point was my family. Many foreign students, particularly those from Africa, remain in their country of study due to fear of the unknown, lack of infrastructure, insecurity, oppression and the high level of unemployment in their home countries. However, I believe that Africans are the only ones that can fix Africa in the long run.

Timipre at the United Nations Youth Assembly, New York

Timipre with the 1^st beneficiaries of the PTDF Foreign Undergraduate Scholarship Program , Aberdeen

Timipre with the 1^st beneficiaries of the PTDF Foreign Undergraduate Scholarship Program, Aberdeen

Timipre with beneficiaries of the PTDF undergraduate scholarships, Stavanger, Norway

Timipre with PTDF Undergraduate Programme Scholars at Jacksonville University, USA

Timipre with a delegation of the PTDF-trained helicopter pilots to the Former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

Timipre visiting Helicopter Pilots during their training in South Africa

In March 2010, I was hired by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Nigeria’s foremost government agency responsible for capacity development in the oil and gas industry. I started out as a member of their legal team but was subsequently appointed to serve as Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary.

In 2011, the PTDF created a new Unit called the Industry Collaboration Unit tasked with the responsibility of fostering closer collaborations between the PTDF and relevant stakeholders in the industry, such as IOCs, the academia, relevant committees in the national assembly and oil-producing communities. They required a lawyer with the minimum qualification of a Master’s Degree in Oil and Gas Law to drive the new policies which were implemented by the ICU. Aside from the General Manager (Legal), I was the only in-house lawyer who had the qualification. The management team discussed and chose to have me promoted to the rank of a Deputy Manager giving me authority and great responsibility as pioneer head of the new unit.

I became the youngest person to ever serve in PTDF Management and this came with some challenges. Some older members of management thought I was too young to be given a seat on the table. Also, there was a period where I was the only one from the entire Niger Delta region in the PTDF Management. Furthermore, the PTDF had always been perceived as a highly political organization run by a management team dominated by males, primarily Muslims from the northern part of Nigeria. At that point, I knew I had to quickly master the art of Boardroom politics to push through these systemic barriers. Personally, I saw this rare opportunity to serve at that level, while still in my twenties, as a divine assignment and an opportunity to be that change I had always wanted to see since my days as a UN Youth Ambassador and I approached every responsibility assigned to me as such.

My team and I encountered major challenges and introduced new initiatives and programmes to support the learning, development and success of young people in Nigeria. Previously, the overseas scholarship offered by PTDF only focused on awarding postgraduate scholarships meaning many young Nigerians who could not afford university education were excluded from the foreign scholarship opportunities. We worked to offset these norms and successfully introduced initiatives including The Special Training and Education Scheme which offers hundreds of young Nigerians from the Niger Delta and across the nation fully funded undergraduate scholarships to study in the United States, United Kingdom, Norway, China and Malaysia.

We also developed a programme which gives young people in Nigeria the opportunity to train as internationally certified commercial helicopter pilots for the petroleum industry in Nigeria. Following the completion of the training, a job creation partnership was initiated offering all qualified pilots careers with leading oil and gas companies in the industry. This scheme produced Nigeria’s youngest helicopter pilot, who obtained his Commercial Pilot License (CPL) before his 18th birthday! Also, a young lady from Katsina State in North-West Nigeria became the first female helicopter pilot.

In 2015, I was promoted to the rank of a Manager, however, all the benefits I received with this promotion could not be compared to the sense of purpose and fulfilment gained from transforming the lives of over 400 young people in Nigeria. It is particularly heartwarming to see young women capture their dreams, secure life-changing opportunities and succeed. During this time, my siblings also had the opportunity to go study overseas and return home, fulfilling another lifelong dream of seeing all my siblings have access to quality education.

In August 2016, I respectfully resigned from the PTDF Management. With my education, experience, determination and faith, I was prepared for the next stage of my journey. In January 2017, I founded TFN Energy Limited. I also started other small businesses on the side which enabled me to become financially independent and able to fund my passions through my Nonprofit without relying on grants.

The journey has been a rollercoaster, but I am just getting started. Becoming an entrepreneur has helped me to focus on the things that matter the most to me and my experiences and challenges have opened doors for me to make a positive impact and lead change.

I have had the privilege and honour of being recognised locally and internationally for the work I have done and continue to work to bring about positive change. In 2017, I became a finalist in the professional category of the British Council Award, and was listed as one of 100 most inspiring women in Nigeria in 2018. I have also had the privilege of speaking at various conferences and events around the world and look forward to speaking at my first TEDx event in England in March 2021.

TFN Energy and North Sea Well Engineering Company executing a contract to provide eLearning solutions to Century Group

Timipre receiving the British Council Alumni Award (Finalist in the Professional Achievement category) from former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Laure Bauefils

Timipre with a representative of the University of Aberdeen at the 2017 British Council Award Ceremony, Lagos

Timipre with her African Woman of Worth Award, 2015

International Women’s Day Conference, Aberdeen

Meeting CGEEE scholars, mentees and volunteers

Timipre with the Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo and the First Ladies of Kebbi and Niger States

I am committed to fulfilling purpose and will to continue to make a difference in every way possible. This includes advocating for Governments across the continent to put in place policies that support women-owned businesses backed up with practical steps towards ensuring that all those repugnant laws and cultural norms that inhibit women from maximising their potentials are discarded.

I am also committed to advocating for the education of the girl child as I have seen and experienced firsthand how the education of one girl can change the trajectory of a whole family and impact positively on an entire community, nation and the world at large. I believe there is a dire for African leaders to prioritize education and increase funding, particularly for girl’s education as part of the efforts to close the gender gaps in education. It is also very critical for women to be given a seat at the table when it comes to decision making and crafting policies at all levels of government.

To every young girl reading this, no matter where you come from or what you have been through, irrespective of the colour of your skin or your background, your dreams are valid. Hold on to that dream and pursue it with all tenacity. Have a vision for your life and define what success means to you personally so that can help you stay grounded. The journey may be tough, but you are tougher! You would not only survive but you would thrive against all odds!

I am rooting for you and as Michelle Obama would say, I hope that someday you will also be able to carry your own story, as proudly as I carry mine. Your story will inspire others just as I hope you have been inspired by mine. Let the light of that dream you carry continue to shine bright and let the fire of the passion in your heart continue to burn. You are beautiful, you are strong, you are limitless, you are enough, you are Light, and I see you!