Dr. Izuchukwu Francis Okafor obtained his B. Eng. and M. Eng. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 2000 and 2007, with an emphasis on Energy and Power Technology, and his PhD at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, in 2017.
He is currently the Acting Director, the National Centre for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and former Head, the Energy Management and Environment/National Stove 
Eligibility Laboratory Unit of the Centre. His research experience and expertise are in: (i) Renewable energy research: solar thermal systems- design and development of solar thermal devices; concentrated solar thermal systems; solar water and air heating systems; numerical modeling and simulation of solar thermal systems etc. (ii) Energy Management and Environment: Industrial energy audit, energy efficiency programme; road transport and domestic sectors energy systems modeling etc. Fossil/Biomass solid fuels (briquettes) optimization and production; domestic cook stove development and training programme, fabrication and performance evaluation and characterization of cook stoves.
He has more than forty research publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. He has participated in conferences/workshops and presented his research articles at both local and international conferences. He is the current Secretary-General of the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria and a member of the World Energy Council (WEC)-Nigerian National Committee, a corporate member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, ASME and COREN Registered.