Management Team

KAYODE THOMAS

Chief Executive Officer

AYO ADERIBIGBE

Deputy Managing Director

AZUKA ONYIA

Chief Financial Officer

JESSY ENI

Senior Human Resources Manager

ADEYEMI ADEDEJI

Business Development Manager

EBI DIKE

Operations Manager
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DR. (Engr). Chima Ibeneche

Chairman, Board of Directors

Dr. (Engr.) Chima has over 31 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. He spent his first three years with Schlumberger where he started out in 1978. He joined The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in 1986. Chima was sent overseas on assignment as Senior Petrophysicist, Land Operations, in  Nederlandse Aardolle Maatschaappij, a Shell/ Esso company in Assen, northern Netherlands. He returned to Nigeria in 1989 to become the Divisional Chief Petrophysicist. He was later appointed Chief Petroleum Engineer in the Western Division of The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).

Dr. Chima drilled the first horizontal well in Shell’s operations in Nigeria. From 1994 to 1999, he served as the Petroleum Economist for Europe and Africa at Shell International Headquarters in The Hague, Holland; Acting Petroleum Engineering Manager, Western Division; Human Resources Manager; and Deputy Development Director and Corporate Well Engineering Manager and Service Director at SPDC. In 2004, he became the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), pioneering offshore and deep-water exploration and production operations in Nigeria and bringing on stream the Bonga field. Chima joined NLNG in 2008 as the first Nigerian Managing Director from The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), a position he held between 2008 and 2012. During the same period, he was the Executive VP of Bonny Gas Transport Limited.

As the Chairman Board of Directors in Bell Oil & Gas, he is responsible for leading the Board on strategic matters and guiding the company on its strategic direction. Dr. Chima holds a degree in Electronics and Electrical Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Doctorate Degree Honoris causa in Production Management from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Institute of Directors and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. He is also the former president of the Nigerian Gas Association and a fellow of the Energy Institute of London. He also serves on the board of several notable companies.

KAYODE THOMAS

Chief Executive Officer

With a solid background in corporate strategy, business development, project management, business analysis and supply chain management, gained from key positions with various blue chip organisations, Kayode has many years international and domestic experience in driving businesses to achieve their strategic and corporate goals.

Prior to Bell Oil & Gas Ltd, he managed and delivered various strategic projects for multi-national corporations in Europe including business process re-engineering, organisation design, change management, ERP solutions, mergers & acquisitions, and post-merger business integration. He held strategic positions in different organisations including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (London office), British Telecommunications (UK), Johnson & Johnson (UK), Cable & Wireless (UK) and GlaxoSmithKline (UK) where he managed and developed supply chain processes, new product introduction models, sales and operations planning policies, product rationing strategies, customer services and performance management methodologies across Europe. His various achievements led to him being named the Glaxo Wellcome IIP Award winner in 1998.

A finalist at the 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and a founding director of Bell Oil & Gas, Kayode is a seasoned entrepreneur with a successful track record of leadership in cross-functional teams. At Bell Oil & Gas Ltd where he has held the position of CEO since inception, Kayode is responsible for corporate strategy, business planning, major projects development, change management, corporate governance, strategic alliances, brand management and corporate social responsibility. He is also responsible for the overall direction, growth and expansion of the company.

A strong advocate of continuous learning, Kayode is an ardent reader of a range of books covering leadership, motivation, relationship building, crime, autobiographies, and Christian literature. He is also a presenter and speaker at international conferences with specific interests in Strategic Alliances, Nigerian Content, and Entrepreneurship.

Kayode is an avid animal lover, with interests in exotic breeds of dogs, parrots, horses and wildlife. He is also a staunch Formula 1 follower, a lover of cricket, rugby, snooker, polo and sailing.

A Harvard Business School and Warwick Business School alumnus, Kayode is a highly motivated and articulate professional who brings with him, deep business insights, strategic thinking, and extensive management and business development experience and expertise spanning many key business areas.

A Certified Management Consultant (CMC), Kayode serves on the board of a number of companies, including several start-ups, provides advisory services to many organisations, within and outside the oil industry and supports young aspiring entrepreneurs in translating ideas into business reality. Kayode is also the founder and chairman of Rifugio Communications, a leading mobile phone retail and enterprise solutions provider in Nigeria. He holds a B.SC (Hons) Degree in Physics, an MSc in Advanced Manufacturing Systems, an MBA and a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration with research interest in Strategic Alliances and Implications for Local Capacity Development in the Nigerian Oil & Gas industry.

Kayode is a member of the Institute of Directors, the Nigerian Institute of Management and a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC-Nigeria).

AYO ADERIBIGBE

Deputy Managing Director

Ayo Aderibigbe is one of the founding Directors and Deputy Managing Director of Bell Oil & Gas, an Upstream oil services company that has been going since 2002.

Prior to joining Bell Oil & Gas, Ayo’s career included Management Consultancy, Project and Programme Management and an officer with the British Transport Police.

Ayo is a lifelong learner. Following a first degree in Geography from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Ayo has obtained three (3) Master’s degrees in Business Administration, Business Systems Analysis and Design and Christian Leadership. He is currently working on a Doctorate thesis.

Ayo’s passion for Enterprise development in Nigeria is also keenly manifested in several ways: he volunteers his time in training, coaching, mentoring and advising young Entrepreneurs, and he serves as Non-Executive Director in the boards of several budding organizations including a Micro Finance Bank, A fintech and a couple of Oil & Gas service companies. His emphasis is on the whole person, rather than just on increasing technical proficiency

Beyond my vocational work, Ayo has been fortunate enough to serve as a Pastor at This Present House Church, an expression within the House of Freedom, a Pentecostal church situated in Lagos, Nigeria. The House of Freedom is well known locally and internationally for the work they do with the marginalized in society through an expression called the God Bless Nigeria Church, as well as Bethesda Child Support Agency (www.bethesdaagency.org) where he currently serves on the Board of Governors. The Bethesda Child Support Agency is a non-profit organization that has provided free quality education, school supplies, nutrition, and healthcare to over 5,000 orphans and vulnerable children over the last 20 years. It currently has about 900 children in school on full academic scholarships. Ayo became an active supporter and adviser of Bethesda about seven years ago and was invited to the board four years ago.

Ayo is married and blessed with three children.

AZUKA ONYIA

Chief Financial Officer

Azuka Onyia is a finance executive with almost three decades of proven practical experience in both the private and public sectors, in the United States and Nigeria. Her broad skill set covers Strategy and Corporate Development, Capital Markets and Treasury Operations, Accounting/Controllership, Business/Operational Finance and Legal, Tax and Regulatory compliance. Her vast industry experience covers public accounting, manufacturing, power, mining, real estate, aviation, e-commerce, and financial services.

She commenced her professional career with the Audit and Advisory Practice in the Lagos, Nigeria office of Arthur Andersen (now KPMG Professional Services). Azuka later relocated to the United States of America where she continued her public accounting career with the Audit and Advisory Practice of the Los Angeles, California office of Deloitte & Touché (D&T). Upon leaving public accounting, she continued her career in the private sector in the United States where she held management positions in finance in Fortune 100 companies and mid-sized entrepreneurial companies where she gained expertise in the US Securities & Exchange Commission regulations and reporting for listed companies, as well as assisted in preparing companies to be listed on the stock exchange. She also worked extensively with lawyers on international transactions from an accounting and finance perspective. She returned to Nigeria in 2010 to serve briefly in the public sector. Upon leaving public service, she became an independent financial and management consultant and her work included financial advisory and fund-raising services for clients in the mobile money, real estate, hospitality, infrastructure and manufacturing industries. Prior to joining Bell Oil and Gas, Azuka was the CFO of Mouka Limited, one of the major flexible foam manufacturers in Nigeria.

Azuka has distinguished herself as a consummate professional by serving in diverse industries. She has a proven track record in deal origination, evaluation, monitoring, process improvements, negotiations and execution. Through her immense contributions to the cross functional teams she has led, she has been instrumental to marked improvements in operations, business growth and profit maximization through achievements in financial management, cost containment, internal controls and productivity/operational efficiencies. A dynamic leader, she is adept at managing complex projects, from needs assessment through implementation.

Azuka serves on the boards of companies in the finance and agriculture industries, providing strategic direction, guidance and financial discipline. She is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) having obtained her first degree in veterinary medicine from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She possesses a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Andersen School of Business, University of California, Los Angeles. She is a Certified Public Accountant (Inactive) in the State of California and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (“ICAN”).

Azuka is a sports enthusiast and an animal lover. She is also a strong advocate of the family, which stems from her deeply held Christian beliefs. She is happily married with four wonderful children.

OLUYEMI GBEJA

Assistant General Manager

Awarded the 2012 Bell Oil & Gas Manager of the year, Yemi is a Business Development, Supply Chain & Logistics Management professional with extensive experience and demonstrated ability to deliver excellent integrated supply chain solutions to Indigenous and International clients in the oil & gas industry.

In her current role at Bell Oil, she is responsible for Business Development, the Supply Chain function and Major Projects, where she brings her experience in these areas to bear.

Yemi started out with the Inspections Directorate of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) from where she moved on to Petroleum Depot Operations with Ascon Oil Company, and then Strategic Planning and Procurement Services with Sea Petroleum & Gas Group.

A solutions-focused, detailed analyst and team-oriented senior manager with an insatiable quest for knowledge and self-improvement. Yemi holds a first degree in Industrial Chemistry from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye (Ogun State, Nigeria), Master’s Degree in Exploration Geophysics from the University of Lagos and an MBA from the prestigious Lagos Business School.

She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (UK).

JESSY ENI

Senior Human Resources Manager

Jessy Eni is a seasoned senior executive. She is big-picture focused, very collaborative, leverages relationships and optimizes efficiencies to achieve organizational goals. Jessy is highly skilled in strategic Human Resources management, office administration, marketing, business development, organizational systems set up and management and government liaison.

In her over twenty-five years working career, Jessy has held positions in Human Resources Management, office administration, marketing, business development and government liaison, in international trade, consulting and Oil and Gas services companies. 

As Senior Human Resources Manager in Bell Oil and Gas, Jessy is responsible for ensuring that the company’s people practices align with the corporate strategy. She leads the execution of the company’s Human Resources strategy, plans and implements HR budgets, oversees, develops, and coordinates HR policies and procedures, manages change, manages staff engagement programmes and oversees activities of staff of the Human Resources department, while ensuring corporate regulatory compliance.

As a leader, Jessy motivates people to achieve a common goal. She is a recipient of the Macarthur Foundation fund for Leadership development, 2000. She was the Bell Oil and Gas manager of the year 2012. 

Jessy is very passionate about the empowerment of young people for sustainable development. She is a volunteer mentor on the WIMBIZ Mentorship Programme, working with younger female managers to achieve their career aspirations. She is a very dedicated volunteer teacher in the Youth Section of her local church.

Jessy speaks at national and international conferences on people management and leadership.

Jessy is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), a fellow of the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) and a member of the Institute of Corporate Governance, Nigeria. She holds a B.SC in Zoology, from the University of Port-Harcourt and an MBA from the Lagos State University, specializing in Human Resources Management and has attended several trainings nationally and internationally.

ADEDEJI ADEYEMI

Business Development Manager

Adedeji Adeyemi has over nine years’ experience servicing the entire Oil and Gas Industry value chain. He has undertaken several assignments in Supply Chain Management, Business Development, Projects execution and Field Interventions. With vast knowledge in Valves and Actuators, he has managed several Customers and OEMs, their acquisitions, retention, and growth with trainings both foreign and local. 

 

Adedeji has a successful track record in developing business opportunities by identifying market readiness, relevant business models, partnerships, and resources and the evaluation of business risks as well as the establishments of new business arm. While at PE Energy Limited, he championed brand awareness and sales strategies using market research and opportunity evaluation to correlate planned versus actual targets in line with business objectives.

 

In his role as the Business Development Manager for Port Harcourt Region in Bell Oil and Gas, Adedeji is responsible for ensuring the company’s growth objectives are attained, articulating new business development opportunities, and identifying, negotiating, and managing relationships with clients, technical partners and other stakeholders in line with corporate goals.

 

Adedeji is a graduate of Electrical Electronics Engineering.

Ebi Dike

Operations Manager

Ebi Dike is a dynamic and results-oriented operations and project manager. With a successful track record and specialization in pipeline and piping operations and projects spanning over 15 years, Ebi has consistently delivered exceptional results in complex and challenging project environments.
Ebi’s strong leadership abilities have allowed him to effectively coordinate cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, and ensuring seamless communication throughout project lifecycles. Since his involvement in the Bonga FPSO project in 2004, Ebi has lead project teams on other FPSOs like Erha, Agbami, Akpo, Usan, and Egina. He has also led project teams on other offshore and land production facilities like Total’s Ikike Project, Chevron’s DSO – Meren GGCP & SONAM Projects, Interplant Corridor Escravos Pipeline Project, and Abiteye Sewage Treatment Plant Project.
Ebi’s technical expertise is complemented by his in-depth knowledge of industry regulations, safety protocols, and quality control standards. He consistently applies best practices and innovative solutions to optimize processes, enhance efficiency, and minimize risks. His ability to analyze complex situations and make data-driven decisions has proven invaluable in resolving challenges and delivering successful outcomes. As Operations Manager, Ebi is responsible for managing cross-functional field operations and delivering various complex projects across an array of clients.
Ebi has a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Geology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Information Technology, both from Federal University of Technology, Owerri. He holds certifications in relevant areas such as piping design, equipment maintenance, safety, quality, and project management methodologies. He has also completed several training programmes in engineering design, construction, management, and improvement in operational processes. Ebi also actively pursues continuous learning opportunities and stays updated with the latest industry advancements.
Beyond oil and gas services, Ebi has interests in Systems and Design thinking, Data analytics, Agile concepts and principles, Lean Six Sigma principles, and emerging technologies. He is also an avid reader of different genres. Ebi is keen on making contributions to positively impact his immediate environment and the society at large.

Aigbe Abohi

Finance Manager

Aigbe Abohi is a seasoned professional with almost 10 years cognate industry experience in areas of accounting, financial management, financial planning and reporting, budgeting, and operational finance.

Prior to joining Bell Oil and Gas, he was a General Ledger Manager at Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc where he was responsible for general accounting operations, financial reporting, suggesting, and implementing sound internal control procedures, designing standard operating procedure manuals, preparing annual audited financial statements, as well as leading and coordinating external audit exercises for various companies in the agro allied value chain. He had also functioned as a finance and accounts team lead in other organizations where he oversaw finance and management reporting, accounts payables and receivables, inventory, payroll as well as fixed assets management.

In his current role at Bell Oil and Gas, he is responsible for supervising the finance team, coordinating a variety of finance and accounts activities including general accounting, accounts payables, payroll and treasury management, financial reporting and budgeting amongst others.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Benin, and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

His hobbies include studying, sports, music, movies and networking.

EJIRO ERIVONA

Position: Assistant General Manager

Ejiro Erivona has over 20 years of international experience in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry. His expertise spans Business Operations Management , Business Development, Contracts and process management in the oil service industry as well as the Exploration and production segment of the Oil and Gas Business. 

He has managed key business divisions for various multinationals like Falcon, General Electric and Baker Hughes, working in various countries in Africa and North America, leading multidisciplinary and multicultural teams to achieve stellar business outcomes. Most recently, he held the position of Senior Manager, Operations at Nigeria’s Major E&P Independent- Conoil Producing Nigeria. 

Experienced in business startups, as well as new business generation, Ejiro has a track record of closing major deals in the IOCs, NOCs and marginal field operators in the sub-continent. 

He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the university of wales and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Benin. He is also an alumnus of the Administrative College of India ( ASCI) 

Ejiro has a “Black Belt” in people and change management and has pursued the same with great flair. 

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