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Dr. Ibilola Amao is the Principal Consultant, Lonadek Oil and Gas. A respected human capacity builder, she shares some of the principles that has taken her career to the top in this interview with Eric Dumo

How does it feel being a point of reference in your chosen career?

I feel very fortunate to have discovered my purpose whilst enjoying my career. I derive my fulfilment from capacity building and youth empowerment. I am wired to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Share some of the pains you felt on the way up?

It has been very difficult to find patriotic and committed Nigerians who are motivated and prepared to sacrifice their time and resources for the common good of many. The distractions are incredible and I find it quite amazing that most people follow the group without questioning the purpose or essence of what they do. It takes the grace of God to stick to principles and remain focussed in Nigeria. But I am privileged to have worked with some of the best brains and resources in NNPC’s NETCO between 1992 and 2003 whilst being exposed to highly cerebral senior colleagues and friends in the petroleum industry so I know that we can set a standard for others to follow if we plan long range.

How did you build character going up?

I was raised by civil service parents who believed in discipline, hard work and integrity. My late father (HRH, Oba (Engr.) Adebayo Idowu Onadeko, the Ogusere Gbuko II, Odemo of Isara) drilled it into his children’s brains that: “A good name is better than all the money in the world”. This has ensured that his children work hard, find their space and maintain a good name. He also taught us to: “save for a rainy day” so we are not frivolous with funds. He also advised that we should shy away from dubious characters and friends whose lifestyle cannot be equated to their income.

My mother (Olori Adekunmbi Modupe Onadeko) is a disciplinarian who ensured that we worked harder than our house helps on Saturdays and studied hard during the week. This taught me to respect those who are under- privileged and strive to gain skills at domestic, vocational and professional levels.

We were raised to put family first and identify our key success drivers at an early age. As a child, I loved to ride bicycles, climb trees and run around the garden. I am very much interested and drawn to nature: gardens, butterflies, the sky, picturesque sceneries, buildings and construction – my late father was a civil and highways engineer. I can remember my little farm where I grew corn, beans, okra, sweet potatoes etc.

What are your thoughts about goals, focus and motivation?

I am an “ideas person”. Divinely inspired and motivated. I am most excited to wake up in the morning when I have an idea that gives me a burning desire to create value for many others and myself. It is very important to have a plan, set a goal and milestones to achieve the plan. I try hard to remain focused by putting my thoughts and plans down in writing on my phone or note book then I find the right persons and reasons to motivate all of us until we achieve set goals. I rely on my closest friends, family and colleagues who understand the way I am wired to test my hypothesis and give me answers to questions that better enable me crystallise ideas. I appreciate people who challenge my thought process and hypothesis. I do not get along well with sycophants and “yes people”.

Swimming upstream is never easy, how did you survive in your field?

Not very easy. Being an African minority in science, engineering, whilst pursuing a Ph.D and in an engineering job in the United Kingdom has earned me a thick skin against sex and race discrimination. I see myself as one of the boys and refuse to be intimidated.

I had to contend with expatriates who did not want a Nigerian to take on a job which Bechtel USA Staff felt was their right. Respect for my superiors and focus on very serious matters has earned me my space as a core professional. I am focused on discussions and activities that make this world a better place. I love spending time with young people who can think out of the box.

Have you ever faced any particularly challenging situation and how did you overcome?

Getting in to NETCO was a major challenge because of the Bechtel bias; my first Oil and Gas contract after leaving NETCO was another, refusal to bribe clients and getting paid after completion of a job is another. I have remained consistent in not compromising my principles. I am a firm believer that if you are career counselled, passionate about what you do, you would not need to be bribed to do your job. We need to put round pegs in round holes.

What are some of the principles you hold on to that make you remain a super achiever?

I have zero tolerance for bribery and corruption. All Lonadek staff know this and understand that I stand for integrity in business dealings and transactions. I believe in team work. I understand that I am not perfect so I continuously improve on my shortcoming; I find it much easier now to rely on competent hands and experts in their own right who can fill gaps in my areas of shortcoming. I am happy to provide my shoulders and a platform for those who can achieve more through their talent and potential. I challenge those who are honest, diligent, focussed and passionate about what they do to strive for excellence. I love Nigeria and I believe that it would take discovering our individual roles in the big picture to make Nigeria a force to be reckoned with.

What’s your take on competition and fighting to win at all cost?

I think that competition and fighting to win is for the small- minded. Discovering your personal DNA, potential, talent and area of core competence is the gateway to fulfilment and success. Rather than strive with others we must continuously seek to flourish in our own space. I create my future through ideas. I am an avid reader with a very vivid imagination, known to be on my own tangent until when others are convinced that I am heading in the right direction. I am never bothered by what the majority are up to as long as I know that I am creating value. I am still striving and trying extremely hard to prove that you can be successful in an industry as corrupt as the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry whilst running an ethical business.

What do you think about girl-child education in Nigeria?

I believe that girls are just as intelligent as boys and should be encouraged. As long as we are well career counselled to identify our purpose, we can outperform our male counterparts. I am not a feminist neither am I a Beijing Conference Promoter, but I think women are better at multitasking than men. We can cope with home, business, husband, children, family, friends etc and can still come up with compassion and empathy even when we find ourselves in frustrating and challenging situations.

What can be done to impact the girl child towards being a leader?

I believe that any girl who is keen to excel should be encouraged to discover self-first, define her goals and aspirations, work with a mentor so that her path is made smoother and she has the right support to make the best choices as they present themselves. Support from family and friends is crucial for a girl child. Most useful is affirmation from her father that she can be as good as her brother.

How do you inspire people working with you or for you?

I am honest and open with all those who work with me. I stand for integrity in leadership, empathy and compassion when the need arises. I am very hard on lazy people and would willingly push the best to excel. I spare no expense on empowering the best brains and would go out of my way to expose them to opportunities locally and overseas. I allow capable hands run and take charge of the business. Nothing is hidden from people who work with me. I am easily approachable and work in an open office space.

What has life taught you?

It is important that we always respect people irrespective of race, creed or colour and must be willing to serve in small capacities so that we are rewarded with greater assignments. I strive always to be in a continuous improvement and learning mode. I believe that through team work having conceptualised an idea I can achieve more. I am convinced that with the world being a global village, an individual such as myself transacting business in a multi-billion dollar industry cannot achieve as much as a team can. I can act as a catalyst but I would achieve more through cooperation, collaboration and coordination of resources and efforts. No man is an Island and we all need each other to sustain our success.