_… He states, “My desire is to contribute immensely to Nigeria’s development through the oil and gas sector.”_
Part 01
_In this interview, a highly accomplished leader in the oil & gas sector and Chairman of the Aviation Fuel Marketers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Thomas Olaleye Ogungbangbe, shares insights into his remarkable journey. From his early upbringing in a family that championed education to his illustrious academic background in prestigious institutions. Yusuf Ebiti brings the excerpts_ :
Can you share some insights into your early life, including your upbringing and educational journey?
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 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 via MRS, National Oil via 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 meter 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 of, Federal Government of Nigeria’s 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 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 indigene 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 started up 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.
Advocated 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.
To be Continued
