The Political Economy of Energy Crisis,  Gender, Dynamics and Green Transition in Nigeria and South Africa: Lessons from Canada.

• Hybrid event
• 1706, Dunton Tower, Carleton University
• 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6
• Zoom meeting link

The Institute of African Studies (IAS) invites you to a Brown Bag presentation on April 6, 2027, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., featuring Professor Tinuade Adekunbi Ojo, Full Professor of Politics and International Relations and Director of the Centre for the Study of Race, Gender and Class at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Drawing on ongoing empirical research, Professor Ojo’s presentation examines the political economy of energy poverty, gender inequalities, and green transitions in Nigeria and South Africa, with Canada serving as a comparative and reflexive case study. The research explores how climate finance mechanisms, renewable energy initiatives, and gender-responsive policies influence access to energy, the distribution of transition costs and benefits, and women’s participation in sustainable development.

Particular attention will be given to the ways existing energy and climate policies address, or fail to address, structural gender inequalities. The presentation highlights women’s contributions to household and community resilience while assessing opportunities for economic empowerment, social inclusion, and equitable participation in green transitions.

By identifying both transferable policy lessons and context-specific approaches, the research advances discussions on energy justice, gender equality, and socially just transitions. It also contributes to transnational feminist scholarship and strengthens opportunities for Africa-Canada research collaboration in areas related to climate action and sustainable development.

This work aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

About the Speaker:

Professor Tinuade Adekunbi Ojo is Full Professor of Politics and International Relations and Director of the Centre for the Study of Race, Gender and Class at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. An internationally recognized and award-winning scholar, her research focuses on gender and governance, feminist political economy, financial inclusion, climate finance, energy justice, and sustainable development. She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Pretoria and a master’s degree in development studies from the University of South Africa. Professor Ojo has demonstrated distinguished academic leadership through roles including Co-Lead of the British Academy Awards for Early Career Researchers in Africa, University of Johannesburg delegate to the Universitas 21 Leadership Programme, and leadership positions within the T20 South Africa process. With more than 65 scholarly publications, including eight books and edited volumes, her

work informs policy, institutional reform, and development practice. Through extensive collaborations with international organizations and regional networks, she advances evidence-based research on inclusive governance, gender equality, climate justice, and sustainable development across Africa and beyond. the lens of documentary filmmaking and life writing.