Two Rhodes Scholars Aim toward Clean Energy in Africa

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Collage. Left photo: Ayomikun Ayodeji, wearing a gaduate cap and gown, flashes a peace sign at an outdoor graduation ceremony. Right photo: Bertha Tobias, wearing a green and blue dress, sits at a table behind a professional microphone in a recording studio.

Rhodes Scholarships have been awarded to a pair of Davis UWC Scholars, both of whom are African — and both are focused on meeting the challenges of their home continent’s transition to renewable energy.

Beginning this fall at Oxford University, the two Rhodes Scholars will each begin studying for two master’s degrees. Bertha Tobias (Namibia, UWC Changshu China, Claremont McKenna ’24) aims to earn one degree in sustainability, enterprise, and the environment, and another in water science, policy and management Ayomikun Ayodeji (Nigeria, UWC Adriatic, MIT ’22) will work toward degrees in energy systems and global governance and diplomacy.

“I am passionate about expanding reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy access across the African landscape,” writes “Ayo” Ayodeji. “At Oxford, I aspire to pursue postgraduate programs that will not only expand my understanding of the technical, political, and societal aspects of power generation, but will also empower me to accelerate the just, zero-carbon transition on the continent.”

“Ayo has worked hard to develop his vision and express it in ways that will capture the imagination of the broader world,” writes Nancy Kanwisher, co-chair of MIT’s Presidential Committee on Distinguished Fellowships. “It is a thrill to see him recognized as a Rhodes Scholar.”

“In the transition to global decarbonization,” Bertha Tobias writes, “how can African countries prevent themselves from being economic fodder for the global economic system? What are the social, political and economic institutions that need to be in place?”

“What I hope to learn at Oxford goes beyond the degrees,” she adds. “I’m even more excited to build relationships that will challenge my assumptions while addressing my core belief that we are all more alike than we are different.”

“Bertha is a force of nature: a strong and capable leader who throws herself into all manner of projects,” writes Brian Davidson, director of fellowship advising at Claremont McKenna. She is, he added, “somebody who I think has the potential to be a truly transformative leader in Namibia and Southern Africa.”

This profile is part of the “Graduates in Action” series from the 2024 Annual Report.