Olufemi Akinyelure is a transformative energy and infrastructure leader driving Nigeria’s over $1 billion electrification agenda through innovative, scalable, and sustainable solutions. As the Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP) at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), he oversees a portfolio that includes the $550M NEP funded by the World Bank and African Development Bank, as well as the $750M Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) initiative. His work directly supports the World Bank’s Mission300 agenda to provide clean energy access to 17.5 million Nigerians.
Under Olufemi’s leadership, over 7 million Nigerians have gained access to electricity, with 300,000 MSMEs empowered through clean energy. His impact spans the deployment of over 180 solar hybrid mini grids, 1 million+ solar home systems, and solar solutions across universities, hospitals, and remote communities. He has played a pivotal role in fostering public-private partnerships that ensure long-term sustainability and institutional continuity in the energy access space.
With expertise spanning large-scale infrastructure, renewable energy financing, and policy development, Olufemi was instrumental in negotiating the $550M NEP and laying the foundation for the historic $750M DARES project — the largest publicly funded clean energy access initiative in Nigeria’s history. He also spearheaded the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) under the Ministry of Works, attracting over ₦1.1 trillion in investments and drafting Nigeria’s first Tolling Policy to unlock private-sector participation in road infrastructure..
His prior roles include contributions to the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), the Energy Transition Office (ETO), and the Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB), where he managed solar and energy efficiency projects that transformed public institutions and improved urban resilience. From electrifying federal universities and hospitals to enhancing national policies on tolling and power infrastructure, Olufemi’s career reflects a deep commitment to inclusive development, sustainable growth, and clean energy access for all Nigerians.
Olufemi continues to serve as a catalyst for change, advancing Nigeria’s transition to a low-carbon economy while building a robust ecosystem for energy innovation and infrastructure investment..