Can you share with us some insights into your early life,
including your upbringing and educational journey? How did these experiences
shape your interest in the Aviation Fuel industry?
Growing up in a family that valued education and hard work,
I was encouraged to pursue my interests in Science and Technology. My
educational journey took me through prestigious institutions like Oxford
Princeton University, Harvard Business School, Said Business School, Imperial
College of Technology- London,
University of Ilorin, Herriot Wyatt
University, Edinburg, United Kingdom (UK), Babcock University, to
mention but a few, where I developed a passion for the Energy sector, and
eventually, aviation fuel.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the Oil & Gas
sector, and what were some of the key milestones that defined your path to
where you are today?
My career in Oil and Gas was inspired by the desire to
contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth, I wanted to play a role in Nigeria’s
economic development, as the Oil and Gas sector is a significant contributor to
the nation’s GDP. With a passion for Science and Technology, I was fascinated
by the technical aspects of oil and gas production, refining and distribution.
Key milestones include working with multinational companies like Chevron Oil
Plc vis MRS, National Oil vis Conoil and the likes; leading teams, and
contributing to policy development, as well as holding executive positions in
large scale Oil and Gas companies, providing me with opportunities to drive
business growth and strategy, while advocating for sustainable practices.
As Chairman of the Aviation Fuel Marketers Association of
Nigeria, what are the most significant challenges you have encountered in your
career, and how did you navigate them?
As Chairman of the Aviation Fuel Marketers Association of
Nigeria, I have faced challenges like infrastructure constraints, policy
inconsistencies, and pluralisation. I navigated these by engaging stakeholders,
advocating for policy reforms, and promoting industry collaboration.
Can you describe a particularly memorable experience or
achievement in your career that has had a lasting impact on you?
A memorable experience among so many was leading a team to
develop a sustainable aviation fuel project. Particularly, I changed the metre
discharge of oil to be by Bulk Roads Vehicles (BRVs) rather than mechanical
methods of oil measurement which resulted in more accurate volumes being
recorded via meter compared to when ullage was used. I was also a serving
member, Federal Government of Nigeria six-man Ministerial Committee on Aviation
Fuel Pricing and Product Availability.
Beyond your professional achievements, can you tell us
about any philanthropic work or contributions you have made, particularly those
that are close to your heart?
Benevolence is my second-nature, I like to give back. More
so, I love education and I am an advocate for health and a good life. So
naturally, of my philanthropic contributions, I have done more supporting
education and healthcare initiatives, particularly in rural areas. I was a
front-line advocate in the mass deworming programmes for children under the
Helminthiasis Elimination Lower Cost Partnership (HELP) by Pfizer which we
implemented in many states of Nigeria. I, through my organisation, CITA Energies,
also gave a $100,000 Research Grant to the University of Ilorin for a study of
microbial contamination in aviation fuel, published by Lambert Academic,
Germany – The Academia. I empowered five
Babcock University students who are indigenes of Osun State, by giving
them Ph.D. scholarship grants. These are a few of the contributions I hold dear
to my heart. I strongly believe in giving back to the community which has been
my start-out and contributed to my growth as an individual and also an
enterprise.
How do you integrate your passion for giving back into
your professional life, and what motivates you to support the causes you do?
Integrating my passion for giving back into my professional
life involves supporting initiatives that align with my values and areas of
expertise. I integrate my passion by giving volunteering industry expertise and
supporting education, healthcare and economic empowerment programmes.
I also advocate
sustainable practices and community development within my organisation,
CITA Energies. I contribute to initiatives that promote social responsibility
and community engagement some of which include sponsoring the construction of
the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Road Network which cost the sum
of N300,000,000 in 2022, donating 20,000
vials of pain relief injections to Osun State Government (2016) and 2,000 units
of food palliatives across all LGAs in Osun State via NULGE (2018), clearing
the tax debts of all 145 APC candidates from Osun East (2024), donating
refueling kits to the Nigerian Air Force (2017), donating electric transformers
to Lagos and Abuja airports, donating cash gifts to Port Harcourt and Warri
member communities to mention just a few. These are done purely on the desire
to create positive change, share personal values, recognise the industry’s
social impact, inspire others and largely from a place of gratitude and
humility. By integrating my passion for giving back into my professional life,
I aim to create a positive impact that extends beyond my immediate sphere of
influence.
Over the course of your career, you have received various
awards and recognitions. Which of these accolades hold the most significance
for you and why?
That would be difficult to categorise as they are all dear
to me. I do revere the honour of the ‘Leadership Excellence Award for Oil &
Gas Personality Leader of the Year (2009)’ and because it was given by a
credible body such as BusinessDay, I felt worthy and honoured that I merited
it. I also hold dear the ‘Icon of Societal Development of the Year’ issued by
the West Africa Student Union Parliament and the ‘Thomas Sankara Pan African
Prize for Excellence as Patriotic Icon of the Year’ (2024) highlighting my
dedication and contributions to the development of the nations of Africa.
How do you view these recognitions in the context of your
overall career and contributions to the aviation fuel industry?
Recognitions like these motivate me to continue making a
positive impact in the industry. Today, CITA Energies has the largest spread of
infrastructure in the aviation fuel business in Nigeria, all over 16 states
across the six geo-political zones of
Nigeria and are distantly admired by other companies.
How do you stay informed
about the latest trends and developments in the downstream Oil & Gas
markets/ aviation fuel industry? What resources or strategies do you rely on?
The trend is on sustainability and we try to do carbon
trading and promote sustainable aviation fuel. I stay informed by being
actively involved through industry reports, global conferences and networking
with experts.
In light of the evolving
global energy landscape, how do you see the future of aviation fuel, and what
role will sustainable alternatives play?
The future of aviation fuel lies in sustainable alternatives
like Biofuels and electronic propulsion. It looks promising with sustainable
alternatives playing a significant role in reducing carbon emissions.
What qualities do you believe are essential for success
in the aviation fuel industry, and how do you strive to embody these in your
own leadership style?
I believe essential qualities for the success of any
business are largely dependent on the vision of such business, and to thrive
anywhere, even in the industry you need adaptability, strategic thinking,
collaboration, risk management, sustainability focus, effective communication
and resilience amongst many others. Adaptability to embrace change and navigate
complex market dynamics, engaging strategic thinking by anticipating trends,
identifying opportunities and making informed decisions. You need to be abreast
with technical expertise and that involves staying up to date with industry
developments, technologies and safety standards. And also be in collaboration
with people, building strong relationships with stakeholders, including
airlines, airports and regulatory bodies.
Reflecting on your career, what legacy do you hope to
leave in the aviation fuel industry, and how would you like to be remembered by
your peers and the broader community?
I hope to leave a legacy of innovation, sustainability and
industry growth. I am happy to be the main intelligence centre of the growth of
my sector of the economy. With a revolution, I led Nigeria’s involvement in
formation and I have been able to grow the industry from six companies to close
to 40 companies today. What I aim to
leave with the industry is to have an industry that automates itself and
regulates itself. That is autoregulation, where companies come together to
regulate themselves in situations and that will make the role of NMDPRA so
simple and to engender safety in the sky, since there are no parking spaces in
the sky.
How has your experience in the downstream Oil & Gas
sector shaped your views on political leadership and governance, particularly
in relation to economic and infrastructure development in Nigeria?
My experience has shaped my views on political leadership,
emphasising the need for policies that support economic development and
infrastructure growth. It has reinforced my belief in the need for effective
regulation and the dire need for infrastructural development. It has also
prompted the clause ‘diversification is key’ as over-reliance on oil has made
Nigeria so vulnerable to market fluctuations, showing that private-sector
collaboration is one of the effective ways to go about it if we can implement it
with transparency and accountability. There needs to be economic growth which
is inclusive and regionally balanced. Environmental sustainability should be a
priority in economic development and this would be evident if we engage in
responsible practices and investment in renewable energy sources.
Have you ever considered entering the political arena,
either at a local or national level? If so, what issues would you prioritize,
and how do you believe your background in the Oil & Gas sector and business
influence your approach to governance?
While I have considered political leadership, my focus
remains on contributing to policy development and industry growth through my
expertise. I aspire to run for the Senate for Osun East Senatorial District. I
am considering giving it a shot. I want
to leverage my vast experience in Oil and Gas and aviation to cause a change
and to stand as a change agent.
What is your vision for Nigeria’s political and economic
future? How do you think business leaders like yourself can contribute to
shaping policies that drive sustainable growth and development in the country?
My vision for Nigeria’s future involves sustainable economic
growth, driven by policies that support innovation, infrastructure development,
and private-sector collaboration. I believe the need for regulation and a
revolution in production so that we will be less dependent on importation and
rather impute sources to help us export more. This I believe will make us and
put us on the map economically as we are a giant in whatever we strive to
succeed at.