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Beyond a Career in Oil and Gas: Dr. Thomas Ogungbangbe Aims for Economic Rebirth and Political Impact

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on July 30th, 2025.

*Beyond a Career in Oil and Gas: Dr. Thomas Ogungbangbe Aims for Economic Rebirth and Political Impact*

“My desire is to contribute immensely to Nigeria’s development through the oil and gas sector,” Dr Thomas Olaleye Ogungbangbe states.

PART ll : Continues from the last edition.

Over the course of your career, you have received various awards and recognitions. Which of the 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?*

Recognizing these motivates me to continue making a positive impact in the industry. Today, CITA Energies has the largest spread of infrastructure in the aviation fuel business across in six geo-political zones of the island 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 a 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 NMD simple and 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 goverparticularlyeabouttion to economic and infrastructure development in Nigeria?*

My experience has shaped my views on political leadership, emphasizing 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 ve the need for regulation and a revolution in production so that we will be less dependent on importation and import input 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.