VANGUARD AWARDS OLAKUNLE WILLIAMS THE ENERGY ICON OF THE YEAR: CELEBRATING THE TIGER OF THE ENERGY SECTOR IN AFRICA
BY CHINEDU NSOFOR
Olakunle Williams, the Chief Executive Officer of Tetracore Energy Group, has been honored with the prestigious Vanguard Energy Icon Award 2025. This accolade recognizes his outstanding contributions to the African energy sector and his visionary leadership in driving innovation and sustainable growth.
A Visionary Leader Transforming Africa’s Energy Landscape
Under Williams’ guidance, Tetracore Energy has emerged as a leading energy solution provider, boasting a natural gas portfolio exceeding 75 million standard cubic feet per day (MMScfd) for industrial use and energizing over 300 megawatts (MW) of power generation in Nigeria. His strategic focus on clean and cost-effective energy solutions aligns with Africa’s aspirations for a sustainable future, positioning him as a pivotal figure in the continent’s energy narrative.
Pioneering Gas Innovation and Strategic Collaborations
Williams’ commitment to innovation is exemplified by Tetracore’s recent collaboration with Dangote Cement to supply up to 400,000 standard cubic meters per day of Auto Compressed Natural Gas (Auto-CNG) for its logistics operations. This partnership marks a significant step towards achieving the goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG), highlighting Williams’ role in advancing Nigeria’s energy transition.
Accolades Reflecting Excellence
Olakunle Williams’ remarkable leadership, visionary drive, and consistent dedication to transforming Africa’s energy landscape have earned him several prestigious accolades both locally and internationally. In 2022, he was honoured with the Nigeria Domestic Gas Ambassador Award by the Nigeria Gas Association in recognition of Tetracore’s outstanding commitment to deepening domestic gas utilization across Nigeria. This was closely followed in 2023 by the Innovative Gas Company of the Year Award presented by the Nigeria Gas Investment Forum, celebrating Tetracore’s pioneering contributions to innovation within the gas industry. His transformative leadership qualities were further acknowledged in 2021 when he received the Energy Personality Leadership Prize for African Leadership Excellence, highlighting his role in reshaping the African energy sector. Williams’ growing influence was also solidified when the African Energy Chamber listed him among the 25 Energy Personalities to Watch in 2022, positioning him as one of the most dynamic leaders shaping Africa’s energy future. In 2023, The Guardian Nigeria further amplified his reputation by featuring him among Nigeria’s 50 Most Inspiring and Definitive Top CEOs in its Annual CEO Series. His exceptional contributions to leadership and corporate governance earned him the Professional Doctorate and Corporate Leadership Excellence Award in 2025, conferred by the Chartered Institute of Public Resources Management and Politics (Ghana). In the same year, he bagged the Innovative Sustainable Energy Provider of the Year Award at the Nigerian Business Leadership Awards (NBLA), organised by BusinessDay, for his strategic and sustainable energy solutions. Notably, Williams’ continental impact was recognized with the CHOISEUL 100 Africa’s Economic Leaders Award, celebrating his outstanding role in shaping Africa’s economic and energy landscape and affirming his position as a key figure in Africa’s development story.
An Illustrious Career Dedicated to Energy Advancement
With over 16 years of experience across the natural gas and power value chains, Williams’ career includes roles such as Consultant on the Energy desk at Deloitte Nigeria and leading Commercial Advisor at the Nigerian Gas Company Limited. His academic credentials include a Master of Business Administration from the University of Bradford School of Management (UK), and he is a Project Management Professional, Chartered Management Accountant, and Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants. Williams is also a member of several professional bodies, including the International Bar Association (IBA), Chartered Institute of Taxation (CITN), and the Institute of Arbitrators (UK).
Driving Sustainable Energy Solutions
Tetracore Energy, under Williams’ leadership, has significantly expanded its natural gas portfolio in alignment with Nigeria’s ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative and the country’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP). The company’s focus on projects that impact industrialization and energy access includes a long-term contract to supply up to 40 MMScf/d of gas to the Rongtai Industrial Park in Edo State and 60 MMScf/d of natural gas to the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), supporting 34% of electricity generation to the Nigerian grid.
A Legacy of Excellence
Olakunle Williams’ recognition as the Vanguard Energy Icon 2025 is a testament to his unwavering dedication to excellence, innovation, and sustainable development in Africa’s energy sector. His recognition as a CHOISEUL 100 Africa’s Economic Leader and BusinessDay’s Innovative Sustainable Energy Provider of the Year further solidify his position as one of Africa’s most influential figures in the sector. Williams’ leadership continues to inspire and drive progress, earning him a reputation as the “Tiger of the Energy Sector” in Africa. The Vanguard Recognition/Vanguard Award further solidifies his legacy as a transformative and visionary force in shaping Africa’s energy future.
