Local Content: Matrix Energy Minimizes Carbon Footprint for Sustainable Upstream Operations – Dr. Bukola Olusola
During a panel session titled “African Content and Opportunities” at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), Dr. Bukola Olusola, Managing Director of Matrix Energy Exploration and Production Company Limited, emphasized the crucial role of host communities in the operations of oil and gas companies. He stressed the importance of enlightening these communities about company operations and maintaining continuous engagement at various stages of operation.
Dr. Olusola highlighted the significance of evaluating organizational operating procedures and plans consistently to ensure sustainable operations. He emphasized that while Asset Development is crucial, sustainable development ensures longer-term brand viability. Regarding Matrix Energy, he outlined their responsible asset development plan, including minimizing carbon footprint, environmental stewardship, and robust stakeholder engagement.
The Managing Director revealed Matrix’s commitment to a zero-gas flare strategy from the commencement of operations and responsible use and disposal of produced water. He emphasized the importance of treating community stakeholders as family members, fostering active dialogue, ensuring employment opportunities, and implementing corporate social responsibility initiatives to maximize community benefits.
Discussing gender action and sustainability, Dr. Olusola emphasized the importance of diversity in fostering innovation. He underscored Matrix’s intentional recruitment strategy to maintain diversity and gender balance across its assets. Furthermore, he addressed the need for collaboration with professionals worldwide to enhance Nigerian research standards and achieve industrialization in Nigeria and Africa.
Dr. Olusola stressed, “if you want just any idea, bring together people of similar backgrounds and life experiences, and you get just any idea.” He continued, “But if you want a great idea, an innovative product. Then you need to bring together people from different backgrounds and life experiences.” He said Matrix is intentional on how staff is recruited into the company.
“We make sure that we retain diversity in our staff strength, because we want uniqueness, diversity and contribution from individuals of different backgrounds bringing in their perspectives to build innovation.
” Matrix recruitment strategy also contributes to her staff strength. Dr. Olusola stressed further that the company ensures a gender balance and reasonable distribution across its assets. Diversity, he says, is important.
On the issue of Research and Development (R&D), the Matrix Upstream Managing Director pointed out that proposals from Nigerian researchers are substandard because in-country professors have not had opportunities to collaborate with their counterparts in other developed nations. According to Dr. Olusola on industrializing Nigerian industry with Africans,
“we must retain diversity in African content development and collaboration with professionals around the world, otherwise sustainability cannot be achieved.” Sustainability is best achieved through systems implemented by people, “such that when a set of people leaves, the next set are able to carry on with the vision.”
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It is also imperative to note that irrespective of gender, each staff must understand why we are emphasizing sustainability. They must know that “It is not only about today, but for our collective generational benefit.”
“It is important as well to note, that whatever we do today is a catalyst for tomorrow’s change as what changes sector dynamics is not only market forces, but mindset, how we think and how we and our consumers relate with products.” “It is important that we maintain that diversity balance with respect to gender, tribe, and religion. Ensuring diversity in any team creates bigger opportunities for the African energy sector leadership” and recognizing the strength of each who have helped us arrive at today.
