Name: Eruvwun Juweto
Position: Business and Legal Associate
Company: Empower New Energy
Sector/Industry: Renewable Energy Impact Investment
Worked in current position for: 1 year,7 months.
Total years as an in-house lawyer: 1 year, 7 months.
A day in the life:
A typical day for me involves getting projects ready for investment, and that would involve carrying out KYC on the project partners; drafting or reviewing the necessary project agreements; taking meetings with our project partners to discuss the project or provide clarity on a legal point; internal meetings with team members to discuss best way to progress a project etc.
The best thing about my current job is:
Video:
So, the Company I currently work at, Empower New Energy, is an impact investment company that provides financing, for small to medium scale business, and sometimes large business, to be able to acquire renewable energy solutions, that provide steady power supply to these businesses, thus cutting down costs that they spend on getting power to run their business, and ultimately improving these businesses overall. The best thing about my current job is being a part of something so revolutionary. I get to see in real time the impact that providing investment and renewable energy to these projects bring to the communities they are in. From the economic growth and expansion of the community to the provisions of jobs, as well as the upliftment of women.
The most challenging thing about my current job is:
The most challenging thing, but also the most exciting thing about my current job, is that I provide legal and compliance services on various Projects in multiple jurisdictions, from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, Cameroon etc, even though I am called to the Nigerian Bar. This allows me to be able to research and learn about the laws in all these other places, and though a lot of work, is super exciting.
Most pivotal career decision:
My most pivotal career decision, was choosing to move from Oil and Gas law practice, into Renewable energy. I had spent about 6 years in Oil and gas practice, and I always knew that I wanted to make the move to renewable energy but was worried about the change. I eventually took the plunge in 2022, and I can categorically say it was the best career decision that I made.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve had to face in your in-house career journey is:
One of the biggest challenges was making the shift from the oil and gas industry to renewable energy. Different laws and landscape, so a lot of time spent learning and re-learning.
What advice would I give my younger self?:
It’s okay not to know everything; what’s not okay is being comfortable not knowing. Put in the work and learn. You are capable of so much more.
Key influencers that have shaped my journey: My family- they constantly push me to keep achieving and aiming for bigger and better things.
One cool thing I’ve observed in the legal industry recently?
The new Nigeria Electricity Act 2023 that was passed into law last year. A great step for the power industry in Nigeria.
Favourite pro bono/ volunteer or charitable activity: Teaching kids, especially reading to them.
If I were not practising law, I would probably be: A travel writer; I love to travel.
What (singular) achievement are you most proud of? Being an aunty to my 5 nieces and 3 nephews. I am the coolest aunt if I do say so myself lol.
Something you love doing that but you’re not that great at? Nothing comes to mind to be honest.
Something you dislike doing that you’re pretty good at? Cooking
In 5 years–time I’d love to be:
In the next 5 years, I’d love to be involved in making great policies in Nigeria, on renewable energy and the environment.