When you meet Olubunmi “Bunmi” Bashiru, three words instantly come to mind: strong leadership, pioneer spirit, and trailblazer. A Project Engineer at Schneider Electric, Bunmi is not just building a career; she is also shaping the future of sustainable energy and inspiring many others along the way.

In an interview, she shares her journey, challenges, and dreams for a better energy future.

Tell us a bit about your career journey. How did it all begin?
I have spent over 15 years in the energy sector, starting in the traditional oil and gas space. As the world shifted towards sustainability, I became deeply interested in how energy can be produced responsibly while still meeting market needs. That passion led me into the sustainability space where I am today.

Who has inspired you most on this path?
One of my biggest inspirations is Richard Branson. His ability to constantly reinvent business models and innovate across industries fascinates and inspires me to continually push the boundaries.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Losing my father while pursuing my Master’s was a turning point. I was his closest daughter, and the shock hit me harder than I realised. During my project presentation week, I had a total breakdown and had to be hospitalised. Thankfully, my lecturers accepted my submitted work. That moment taught me that grief comes in waves, and I chose to channel mine into making my father proud.

You have spoken about resilience. Can you share a failure-to-success story?
Yes. My parents had humble beginnings. My father was an HVAC technician, my mother a food seller. When I insisted on becoming an engineer, it seemed unusual, especially since men traditionally dominated the field. In my class of over 100, only 20 were women. But I graduated in the top 10% of my class. That determination has kept me going as I transitioned from downstream energy to gas, upstream production, and now sustainability.

How does your work impact others today?
Through my foundation, we pay tuition fees for children of single mothers and widows. Education can make or break a child’s future, so being able to provide that bridge is both humbling and fulfilling.

What makes your approach unique?
I am an ardent learner, and I believe excellence comes from immersing yourself fully until mastery is achieved. At the same time, I lead with empathy, understanding the strengths of my team and orchestrating them like a symphony.

What is your dream project?
I would love to create a drilling methodology that allows fossil fuel extraction offshore without polluting water bodies. It is about balancing energy needs with protecting marine ecosystems, a trilemma we must solve for the sake of both development and sustainability.

Looking ahead, what do you see for the future of energy?
AI is already reshaping automation and sustainability. I believe it will continue to revolutionise how we work and accelerate our transition to cleaner solutions.

And where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself at the top-level management director level, steering impactful work in sustainability and shaping policies that matter.

What is the legacy you want to leave?
That I lived fully and died empty, having used every gift, seized every opportunity, and given back as much as I could.

From humble beginnings to pioneering change in the global energy space, Bunmi Bashiru embodies resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership. If her journey teaches us anything, it is that challenges can shape you, passion can drive you, and excellence is always worth pursuing.