By Danlami Nasir Isah
Engr. Emeka Okwuosa is a seasoned engineer, administrator, entrepreneur and a visionary with over 40 years of post-graduation experience in engineering and management in the following areas: maintenance and operations, teaching, wireline logging and interpretation, seismic acquisition, processing and interpretation, pipeline and facilities engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), project management, drilling and drilling services. Some of these activities span Europe, North Africa, West Africa, Gulf of Guinea/Central Africa and South East Asia. Emeka is the founder and the Chairman/GCEO of many companies which have executed multiple complex multi-billion US$ pipeline and facilities project in the oil and gas sector of the economy.
Born on August 19, 1961 in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, Engr. Okwusa founded and incorporated Oilserv Limited, in 1992 which began operation in 1995 offering world-class services such as Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning (EPCIC), project management, maintenance and rehabilitation of oil and gas pipelines and facilities. While at Schlumberger, he oversaw some jobs in Europe, North Africa, West Africa, Gulf of Guinea/Central Africa and Indonesia, among others.
Before establishing his own company, Emeka worked in various capacities for Schlumberger, a French oil service giant, as Field Engineer, Technical Manager, among others in Europe (Pau, France, Scotland), North Africa (Libya), West Africa (Mauritania, Senegal, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana), Gulf of Guinea/Central Africa (Nigeria, Benin Republic, Cameroun, Gabon, Congo, Angola) and Indonesia. Oilserv started operations fully in 1995, and worked exclusively for Shell Nigeria for over five years, after which it diversified into working for other international oil companies (IOCs) and for Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in maintaining their pipeline transmission systems. Today, Emeka chairs a board of a group of companies namely; – Oilserv Limited, Frazimex Limited, Frazpower Limited, Frazoil Limited, Crown Energy Resources Limited, and Ekcel Farms Limited.
Oilserv Limited focuses on Pipeline/Facilities EPC and maintenance. It has wide ranging activities In the Niger Delta and across Nigeria. It is a major player in actualization of the Gas Masterplan in Nigeria especially for domestic gas distribution. It is ISO 9001:2015 certified and currently operates in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Benin Republic and Togo.
Engr. Okwusa is a 1982 graduate of Electronics and Electrical Engineering of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state, Nigeria. He belongs to several professional bodies including Council for the Regulation of Engineering (COREN), Society of Professional Well Log Analysts (SPWLA), Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Pipeline Professionals Association of Nigeria (PLAN), Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), Institute of Directors (IoD).
The Oilserv boss has also received several awards of excellence. Such awards include OTC/PETAN (Offshore Technology Conference/Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria) Awards of Excellence in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 , 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022 in Houston, Texas, USA; US Africa International Oil & Gas Leadership Award, Best of Africa – 2013; Lifetime Achievement Award by Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) – 2015; Award of Excellence by the Nanotechnology Research Group of the Physics Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 2014 and 2016; Nigeria Advancement Award for Creativity and Enterprise – 2016; International Socrates Award (UK) – 2016; Award of Excellence by Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) – 2016; PETAN Corporate Social Responsibility Award – 2016; PETAN Capacity Development Award – 2016; Honorary Doctorate Degree Award (Hon.D.Eng) courtesy of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) – 2016; Industrialist of the Year Award – 2016; Agro Entrepreneur of the Year Award – 2016; Honorary Doctorate Degree Award (Hon. DBA) by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) – 2017; Award of excellence in Engineering by the Association of Anambra State Development Union – 2017; Award of excellence in Engineering by the Nigerian Institution of Highway & Transportation Engineers – 2017; Award of excellence by Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) 2016 Oil & Gas organization of the year award by African Entrepreneurs Foundation – 2017 National Productivity Order of Merit Award (NPOM) by his Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2017.
He is the founder of Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation, which has recorded several contributions in education, road, erosion control, provision of portable water, electricity infrastructure, etc. The foundation has recently completed the set-up of a multi-billion Naira modern specialist hospital in Oraifite, Anambra State (Dame Nneka Okwuosa Medical Centre) and a Four (4) floor Administration/Classroom block at the Dame Irene Nneka Okwuosa Memorial convent, Oraifite in honor of his late mum.
The philanthropist who turns 61 next month is described by many as a solid pillar of the Nigerian society, a rare gem, a huge blessing to his people and the country at large. Emeka Okwuosa is a Knight of St. Christopher (KSC) of the Anglican Communion.
