A quiet and sustainable transformation is taking place in the backwaters of Olorunda-Abba community in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State, as Humble Fellow, a forward-thinking social enterprise, has declared its commitment to empowering the community and its people through the infusion of energy, innovation, and opportunity to foster growth.
For years, residents of Olorunda-Abaa have endured the challenges of unreliable electricity. From small-scale farmers struggling to preserve their produce to students unable to study after dark, energy insecurity has long hindered local progress.
But all that is in the past now as The Solar for Olorunda-Abaa Initiative, launched by Humble Fellow, is poised to change that reality by transforming the community through clean, AI-powered solar energy.
Founded by James Akinleye, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and engineer, born and raised in Olorunda-Abaa, Humble Fellow embodies the fusion of technology, service, and social purpose.
Akinleye’s deep connection to the community fuels a mission built on sustainable empowerment; creating systems that generate power, stimulate economic growth, and inspire local innovation. “This is about empowering the next generation,” says Akinleye.
“We’re harnessing the sun not just to light homes, but to power futures,” he adds.
At the heart of the Solar for Olorunda-Abaa Initiative is the development of an AI-enabled solar mini-grid designed to deliver reliable, renewable electricity to households, schools, and local businesses.
In addition to lighting homes and powering classrooms, the project includes a solar-powered ice-making and cold storage facility; an essential resource for farmers, traders, and healthcare providers.
According to Akinleye, ‘‘the facility will help reduce food spoilage, enhance agricultural trade, and support cold-chain preservation for health centres. With AI-driven monitoring and predictive maintenance, the system will operate at peak efficiency and ensure long-term sustainability.’’
For Humble Fellow, technology is only one part of the story. True empowerment comes from equipping people with the skills and confidence to sustain progress. The initiative includes a robust training and capacity-building programme that will prepare local youth and technicians to install, maintain, and manage solar systems.
This approach, Akinleye notes, not only sustains the project but also creates meaningful employment and nurtures a new generation of green-tech professionals across the region.
The initiative aligns closely with the vision of global partners committed to sustainability, innovation, and community empowerment. By combining renewable solar infrastructure with advanced digital tools such as AI monitoring, cloud analytics, and virtual learning platforms, the project demonstrates how technology can be harnessed for social good.
Through online training and digital literacy programmes, residents will also gain access to new knowledge in energy management and entrepreneurship, helping to bridge the digital divide and expand opportunities for the next generation.
What sets Solar for Olorunda-Abaa apart is its scalability. The project will provide clean, reliable energy to more than 500 homes while creating a replicable model for other rural and semi-urban communities in Oyo State and beyond.
Its impact extends across multiple dimensions: powering small businesses, strengthening local agriculture, improving educational outcomes, enhancing healthcare delivery, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative reflects a holistic vision of sustainability, one that unites environmental responsibility with economic growth and social progress.
