Jeremiah is an award-winning renewable energy entrepreneur and MA Student here at Durham University. He has developed Optim Energy, an energy start-up initiative aiming to shrink greenhouse gas emissions, educate citizens about energy efficiency, and build a sustainable energy sector in Sierra Leone. To date, Optim Energy has powered 150 households and 15 schools free of charge and is among 98 leading energy start-ups listed by the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth.  

 

Jeremiah has published articles on climate change, global warming, policy development, youth involvement, entrepreneurship, and renewable financing. He has presented research papers and organised workshops at some of the world's largest youth gatherings, such as the World Youth Forum. During his time studying in Rwanda, he worked with the Agahozo Youth Village, a nonprofit focused on providing vulnerable and orphaned youth with the necessary healing, education, and leadership skills to transform their communities.   

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Over the years, Jeremiah’s contributions have also been recognised with various awards, including the African Leadership Academic Excellence Award, the African Leadership University Innovative Thinker/Entrepreneur 2020, and the Sierra Leone Academic Excellence Award 2009. In 2021, he received the Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence in Development and is also a World Wildlife Fund Top 100 Young African Conservation Leader as well as the recipient of the 2021 Global Student Prize.