Dr. Ibilola Amao is the Principal Consultant of this multi-award-winning, woman-owned, ISO: 9001: 2015, engineering technology and information management company. She is a Co-Founder of the Women In Energy Network (WIEN), a council member of WEConnect International, Nigeria and Commonwealth Business Women’s Network (CBWN) member.
The company aligns people, technology, engineering solutions and services to create value for the society. It partners technology proprietors to deliver exceptional in-person, virtual and remote services.
Lonadek domesticates, domiciles and democratizes technology for exceptional performance in STEM-focused industries. Its Human Capital Development Initiatives (HCDIs) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities empower locals to deliver world-class service. Since establishment in 1991, Lonadek has trained over 5,000 Engineers and empowered over 100,000 STEM Talent.
In this interview with Majorwaves, Dr Amao tells how how the 30-year journey has been.
What informed your decision to go into entrepreneurship and why the name LONADEK?
As a lover of mathematics and physics, solving problems is a passion and entrepreneurship is all about addressing needs and problems. What most people avoid as problems, issues or challenges, I see as opportunities then I team up to provide solutions to address them.
I am always trying to categorize the obstacles that confront me into equations of sorts that need to be balanced. I quite easily, by divine grace, come up with scenarios and permutations of solutions, then naturally gravitate towards resources to tackle such. The name Lonadek is a combination of historical names. My maiden name was Ibilola Onadeko. Lonadek was created through happenstance on a queue outside the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Office in Abuja, where Lola Onadeko became Lonadek.
What role did you play in establishing Local Content in Nigeria?
I was fortunate to have been engaged by NETCO as an in-house consultant in 1992, where I served for ten years and ten months to train Nigerian Engineers in the use of Computer-Aided Design and Draughting systems for Facilities Design. NNPC had paid Bechtel a huge sum of money to transfer technology to Nigerians. By divine providence, I showed up (courtesy of Engr. Dr. Olatokunbo Somolu and Engr. Sola Alabi). I had the expertise that both NETCO and Bechtel required and the rest is now history. Being a part of a Technology Transfer Agreement execution between a world-renowned Bechtel and NNPC, prepared me for Local Content implementation.
I was very much involved in Local Content advocacy after leaving NETCO. I was a rapporteur at the first Local Content conference at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. We had a task to deliver on Local Content recommendations within a tight deadline, I worked late into the night with a team that was coordinated with Gibson Ola of Chevron. Earlier, Late Engr. Adetunji (GGM, NAPIMS then) had initiated a policy to encourage local players to participate more effectively in the Oil and Gas industry. In 2003, I set up the Oil and Gas Design Engineers of Nigeria (OGDEN) which achieved policy formulation to effect domiciliation of Engineering Design in Nigeria which in turn led to domestication of technology to execute designs real-time in collaboration with integrated global teams. OGDEN had renowned leaders such as my former MD at NETCO, Engr. Alex Ogedegbe, Engr, Enuha, Engr. Soyode, Prof. Ogunye, Dr, Fawibe, Dr. Tabiowo, and some younger Engineers. such as Engr.; George Okoyo, Yinka Fawehinmi and Akin Odumakinde. We engaged the GMD, NNPC, Engr. Funsho Kupolukun after which a Nigerian Content Division was set up in NNPC with Engr. Ernest Nwapa heading it after his Chief Officers course.
What’s your assessment of Nigerian Content and what areas would you say need improvement?
I am always trying to categorize the obstacles that confront me into equations of sorts that need to be balanced.
Adeyeye, Frank Ibi, and Taiwo Elegba understood that the stakes were high to create jobs and wealth locally. They worked tirelessly to implement the Act. We are now in a phase of systemic implementation because the structure exists. Engr. Simbi Wabote is currently building on that foundation, adding flesh to the existing pillars and institutionalizing Nigerian Content through various shades of collaboration.
What do you think lies ahead for built indigenous capacity and capabilities, looking at 10 – 20 years from now, and what counsel would you offer indigenous players against the backdrop of energy transition?
The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Globalization, Energy Transition, Gas Utilization, and Digital Transformation are the goals that we must confront. Deploying the best STEM and TECH talent that can innovate with professional ethics is the only way to compete effectively. The decade of gas pronouncements needs to move from words to action. Security and Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) compliance needs to be addressed if Nigeria is to become a priority destination of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). If the price per litre of refined products is not globally competitive then, Nigeria will have failed the nation and her citizens. If our business models are not delivering uninterrupted power and a clean environment, then we would have ourselves to blame. After the Presidential pronouncements of COP 26 and NET zero targets set by President Muhammadu Buhari, what we bequeath to the next generation is critical. Nigeria’s key natural resources are gas and human capital, so I look forward to seeing these assets maximized for national development and socio-economic transformation that will translate into improved wellbeing for our people.
What’s your experience with aging workforce and what ways can their wealth of experience be harnessed towards improving Nigerian Content?
I am a firm believer in mentoring, coaching and networking to accelerate performance. Successful professionals across different sectors of the economy have roles to play in developing our young talents for present and future jobs beyond training. Our successes placed us as role models to young people knowingly or unknowingly. Role modeling can be instrumental in developing career aspirations, educational goals and can also motivate youths toward healthy behaviour. For national development and socio-economic transformation to be accelerated, we need to focus on the 5Es: Education, Enlightenment, Empowerment, Engagement and Entrepreneurship. If we get this right and harness our natural resources, Nigerians, Africans and the world will be better for it. Nigeria has so many youths willing to learn and deliver value, if their potential is not maximized creatively, this will be a huge loss to humanity. Nigeria needs a more patriotic and responsible leadership that will focus on human capital development. Optimising human resources requires succession planning while investing in capacity, capability and competence development. A meritocratic system that develops the best brains as key talent is critical to the acceleration of the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which is closely linked to the energy transition, sustainability and climate change. Aside from professional development, we need to improve soft skills so that Nigerians are recognized for great ethics, diligence and dedication to the delivery of quality services.
Engr. Simbi Wabote is currently building on that foundation, adding flesh to the existing pillars and institutionalizing Nigerian Content through various shades of collaboration.
Tell us about LONADEK’s Vision 2020 and how close to your set objectives did you get? Were some of your trainees interested in the energy sector?
Lonadek has delivered Human Capital Development Initiatives (HCDIs) focused on domiciling, domesticating, and democratizing technology since 1992. In 2006, we commenced a 15-year Career Counselling, Industry Awareness and Youth Empowerment Programme coined Vison 2020: Youth Empowerment and Restoration Initiative (YERI). Since the commencement of this STEM-focused initiative, we have empowered over 100,000 STEM talents. We are currently digitally upskilling over 10,000 Africans locally and in the diaspora in collaboration with Microsoft, LinkedIn and GitHub. We have recently concluded the upskilling of our first cohort of 25 cloud technologists on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) re/Start Program. We are committed and striving always to optimise OEMs technology, thus creating wealth and jobs in resource rich emerging economies.
Our Alumni form a vibrant ecosystem of problem solvers and out-of-the-box thinkers. Today, our Alumni are contributing to the success of various sectors, and this forms a strong community for our business. We have an excellent service reputation in Outsourcing of STEMpreneurs and TECHpreneurs in the Oil & Gas industry. We serve other industries like Power, Manufacturing, FMCGs, Telecoms and Mining. Our initiatives involve gap analysis, training needs analysis to deliver bespoke HCDIs that address specific needs.
As a two-term Council Member of the Energy Institute UK (2016-2021), I have focused on Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Young Professional Development and Career Counselling and Industry Awareness. During COVID 19, we delivered over 24 Webinars implemented through our Cedar STEM and Entrepreneurship Hub as well as online Learning
Security and Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) compliance needs to be addressed if Nigeria is to become a priority destination of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Management Systems (LMS). Through our membership of WEConnect International, Vital Voices, the Cherie Blair Foundation, International Women Entrepreneurship Challenge (IWEC) Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network (CBWN) and Women In Energy Network (WIEN), our footprints of impact is reaching more people. We have improved the lot of Girls in STEM and Women in Engineering, Energy and Entrepreneurship.
You’re big on STEM. What’s the blueprint?
The role of science and technology in national development cannot be over emphasized. Any nation which fails to adequately consider Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education has planned to be left behind in all spheres of development because investment in STEM subjects is directly proportional to economic development.
I am an advocate of building capacity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). To move a developing nation to a developed nation, you must be big on STEM. For any resource-rich emerging economy to improve its GDP, Human Capital Index, Employability, Jobs opportunities and wealth, STEM must be a priority. As an Engineer, Fellow of the Energy Institute (EI) UK, Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and a member of the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) Africa Prize, I see value creation as a basic need for Africa. The need to apply technology and leapfrog from the agrarian age to the ideas age is critical. I am also big on diversity having gone through several categories of being a minority or a diversity statistic since I relocated to the UK from Nigeria to study at age 15 years. I see STEM as a bridge-builder and unifier. STEM is not a respecter of colour, gender, race or age.
Through the Cedar STEM and Entrepreneurship Hub (CSEH), a collaborative and eclectic hub in a therapeutic environment located in Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria, we provide budding STEMpreneurs and TECHpreneurs with the right skill set, support and mentorship to grow bankable businesses that are value adding solutions.
There’s been some activities between your firm and Google, as well as a few other Silicon Valley companies. What’s it about? How did you get there? And what’s the expected impact on Nigerian Content development?
Lonadek’s activity in youth empowerment, girl in STEM and Women empowerment initiative has endeared us to the American Embassy and TechWomen who we hosted at our Cedar STEM and Entrepreneurship Hub in Jibowu, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria during the first visit of leading women in TECH from Silicon Valley. We have had members of our team on programmes in Nigeria and the US. We engaged with the US Consulate on empowerment initiatives and have sponsored the Vital Voices Global Mentoring walk annually for the past five years.
For national development and socio-economic transformation to be accelerated, we need to focus on the 5Es: Education, Enlightenment, Empowerment, Engagement and Entrepreneurship.
Our impacts in STEM, digital technology and youth empowerment have made us collaborate with Silicon Valley companies and tech giants such as Amazon Web Service (AWS), Microsoft, LinkedIn, Github among others. We are digitally upskilling over 10,000 Africans locally and in the diaspora in collaboration with Microsoft, LinkedIn and GitHub. Likewise, the first cohort of our Amazon Web Services (AWS) re/Start Program has upskilled 25 young talents as certified cloud practitioners.
I am committed to offering girls in STEM and TECH mentoring, coaching and internship opportunities. Our programmes are contributing to human capital development, youth employment, gender equality, social inclusion, and economic growth.
Do you have concerns for the Nigerian and African economy vis-a-vis the IEA 2050 Net Zero target?
Not at all. Africa has various gas provinces and I am sure that the world now recognizes and admits that Africa is nowhere near the pollution thresholds that the western world is contending with. The decade of gas is Africa’s window of opportunity and her transition programme needs. Africa needs to industrialize; she need to use what she has to get what she wants and arrive at her preferred destination. The Energy transition for Africa will be different. Primarily, gas will drive our industrialization with renewables substitution where the economics makes sense and not vice-versa.
Women participation in the oil sector, particularly at c-level, shows very low numbers. What worked for you and how did you keep it together for 30 years?
I have focused on my core competence and passion. Remaining humble, teachable, and in continuous learning; the model has helped me on my journey. Always trying to solve the next problem that confronts me, keeps me fulfilled in adventure mode. I have maintained a blue-ocean strategy, following my instincts on what projects and initiatives to take up. As a patriotic Nigerian who is also British, I am blessed and privileged to wear two lenses, and view problems from different perspectives as well as wear diverse shoes to provide unique and innovative Human Capital Development Initiatives.
Our focus at Lonadek is to domicile, domesticate and democratize technology. We create value and enhance performance through Engineering Technology and Information Management solutions. We have empowered over 100,000 STEM talents through our Vison 2020 Initiative. We are currently empowering 10,000 talents with Microsoft, LinkedIn and Github, and have recently concluded the training of our first cohort of Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Cloud Practitioners. We are now working with City and Guilds to certify STEMpreneurs, TECHpreneurs and INTRApreneurs who will deliver services virtually.
I have moved from core Engineering to Engineering Technology, then Oil and Gas, then Energy, then STEM and now TECH which is most appropriate for a post COVID era where digital transformation and energy transition are rapidly evolving.
Over the past 30 years of Lonadek’s existence, my support has come from family. Both nuclear and extended family have remained my core. My mentors and those who were instrumental in my oil and gas journey have played a significant role in my career development. I always want to recognize Engr. Dr. Mrs. Olatokunbo Somolu and Engr. Sola Alabi who supported me at my oil and gas entry point. The NETCO team, Lonadek Alumni, Energy Institute Council (2015 – 2021), Royal Academy of Engineering UK (Africa Prize Panel of Judges (2018 – date), Vital Voices, WEConnect, Commonwealth Business Women’s Network, Cherie Bliar Foundation, Women in Energy Network and several other networks I belong to, have shaped who I am.
Our impacts in STEM, digital technology and youth empowerment have made us collaborate with Silicon Valley companies and tech giants such as Amazon Web Service (AWS), Microsoft, LinkedIn, Github
