Researcher wants energy solutions to benefit women’s lives

Nigerian national Dr Rahimat Oyiza Yakubu’s research on clean energy was born from her own experience: giving birth in a hospital that had no electricity.

Her research has contributed to her selection in 2023 as one of a group of 30 African women honoured during the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents Sub-Saharan Africa Awards recently – the same month (November) in which she graduated with a PhD in sustainable energy technologies from Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

The winners of this year’s Women in Science Young Talents Sub-Saharan Africa Awards included 25 PhD candidates and five post-doctoral researchers, who are spread across multiple fields of research to tackle major challenges to improve the quality of life in Africa and worldwide. In an ongoing series, University World News will be focusing on these researchers and the impactful work they do as well as the challenges they face.

Yakubu told University World News that she had worked in a steel company until January 2021 as a senior electrical engineer before leaving to pursue her PhD studies and is now transitioning from the world of engineering to focus on the clean energy sector.

Yakubu has had to balance her roles as a wife, mother of five and researcher in a context in which the under-representation of women in leadership roles within research institutions is also limiting their ability to motivate and support other women.

UWN: What does the research that landed you the award entail?

ROY: My research focuses on the performance evaluation of both off-grid and grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems, using monofacial and bifacial PV modules, exploring various configurations such as ground-mounted setups, and innovative floating PV systems.

My research is centred on the performance of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for grid and off-grid installations. Grid-connected systems are systems connected to the national grid that supply electricity to the nation and an off-grid system using solar panels is how electricity is being generated for rural areas [that are not connected to the grid] or communities without access to electricity.

The type of solar panels that I researched are monofacial and bifacial PV panels. Monofacial PV panels only have solar cells on the front side, while the back side is opaque. Bifacial PV panels have solar cells on the front and the rear side.

Because of this, a bifacial PV panel of the same size with a monofacial should generate more energy. I researched how much extra energy a bifacial PV panel can generate under various configurations.

UWN: What influenced your decision to focus on clean energy research?

ROY: My decision to pursue a PhD in sustainable energy technologies stems from a profound experience on 8 April 2016 when I gave birth in a hospital without access to electricity.

In the early hours [of the day] the town experienced a blackout due to load-shedding, leaving the hospital illuminated solely by a kerosene lantern.

Anticipating the need to charge my phone during labour, I was unaware that the hospital, itself, could be devoid of electricity. With maternal mortality rates soaring to 540 per 1,000 in my country, the need to enhance the quality of life for women became glaringly evident.

Motivated by this first-hand experience, I have been compelled to advocate for changes through my research. Armed with a background in electrical engineering, with both a bachelor and a masters degree, I seek to leverage my expertise to champion decentralised energy solutions for hospitals and schools.

My goal is to contribute meaningfully to addressing the critical issue of energy access in essential institutions, promoting sustainable and accessible energy for all.

UWN: You said research scholarships made a difference for you. Tell us more.

ROY: Firstly, I was awarded a three-year scholarship for the PhD study in Sustainable Energy Technologies at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. I also received the Utrecht-ANSOLE (Africa Network for Solar Energy) Sur Place grant for female postgraduates in renewable energy, which was supported by the Utrecht municipality. I was a mother of four then, and this ANSOLE grant was to support my living expenses, considering that I am a mother.

This grant played a crucial role in supporting my living expenses during this period. As a mother of five, it helped to lighten the financial burden, allowing me to focus more on my studies and research.

UWN: What sparked your passion for science?

ROY: My passion for science was ignited during an elementary school experiment where we connected two batteries to a small lightbulb … and [then] witnessed it glow. Access to electricity has always been a challenge, so this was the moment for me.

That pivotal moment sparked a commitment to pursue a career in creating and innovating in a field which turned out to be electrical. This childhood curiosity evolved into a dedicated academic journey.

UWN: What are some of the challenges female scientists and researchers face in Africa?

ROY: As female African researchers, we are faced with various challenges such as gender stereotypes.

There is not much support, as certain fields are seen to be for the opposite sex. There are limited resources, and inadequate access to research facilities, equipment – and funding – may impede the progress of female researchers in Africa.

There is also the work-life balance. Balancing family responsibilities with demanding research commitments can be challenging, affecting career progression.

There is also underrepresentation. Women are often underrepresented in leadership roles within research institutions, limiting their influence, motivation for others and visibility.

UWN: How can some of these challenges be tackled?

ROY: To address these challenges, we have to start from promoting policies that support the girl child’s education. Also, [there is a need to] enhance access to resources by increasing funding solely dedicated to African female researchers, support networks by establishing mentorship programmes and [introduce] flexible working arrangements to balance family and research work.

UWN: Any notable role that your family has taken to help you balance family and research work?

ROY: My husband has been a great pillar of my success in this journey. He supported me emotionally and financially as he sponsored my masters degree. He was also helpful in taking care of the kids during my PhD research studies. Because he was available and taking care of the kids most of the time, I was able to focus on my studies and travel when necessary.

UWN: Have you ever faced discrimination in your work?

ROY: For me, [it has been] gender stereotypes, as there is a consistent need to prove that you are as good as your male counterpart to be taken seriously as a female electrical engineer.

UWN: Is there anything that nearly derailed your academic journey?

ROY: Balancing being a wife, motherhood, and my career has been a difficult one. At some point, I had a career gap because I left my first graduate assistant job in a university to have my first and second child.

When I look back and see how far I have come, I see what resilience, passion and interest in something can make someone achieve. The need to make a positive impact in my community got me here and I am grateful to L’Oréal-UNESCO for the award, recognition and visibility.