Dipo Jimoh’s leadership journey is a blueprint for strategic vision and unwavering commitment. With a résumé that reads like a who’s who of global energy giants, he has spent years honing his craft, from overseeing complex projects at ExxonMobil to studying at Columbia University in the Ivy League, New York. But it is not just his impressive credentials that set him apart – it is the unprecedented decision to bring his expertise back to Nigeria, to contribute to the nation’s growth and development in ways never attempted before. As the Chief Executive Officer of Barama Energy Resources Limited, he is pioneering a new model for the energy domain, leveraging his specialised knowledge to drive technology innovation and strategic growth in both the upstream and downstream energy sectors. Today, his legacy is being woven into the very fabric of Nigeria’s energy future, a powerful affirmation of the impact of visionary leadership and homegrown talent.

His ascent in the energy sector has been marked by a series of pivotal moments that distinguish him as a first-generation global-local leader. His tenure at ExxonMobil was defined by high-stakes project management, where he oversaw critical infrastructure development for Nigeria’s energy landscape. Concurrently, his academic pursuits at Columbia provided a strategic foundation, including internships at the United Nations and General Electric, which broadened his global perspective in outstanding ways for a Nigerian energy executive.

Dipo Jimoh’s academic pedigree is a reflection of his intellectual rigour – a Master’s degree from an Ivy League university, with a concentration in Energy, Environment, International Economy Policy and Management. This rare combination of business excellence has informed his leadership at Barama Energy Resources, where the company has become a key player in Nigeria’s energy sector through an entirely new strategic approach. Under his stewardship, the reputable energy firm has forged strategic partnerships with major industry players, including IOCs, NNPC and the Ministry of Defence, thereby building a sustainable model across the energy value chain in ways that set a new standard for indigenous companies.

As he recounted the genesis of Barama Energy Resources, his passion for entrepreneurship and nation-building shines through. “I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, but I wanted to make a difference by gaining valuable work experience and necessary exposure before venturing into business,” he said, highlighting his pioneering approach to building credentials before building companies. This calculated decision ultimately shaped the trajectory of Barama Energy Resources as Nigeria’s first truly globally informed indigenous energy company. During his time at Columbia, his vision for the company began to take shape as he worked closely with professors, including Nobel laureates, to develop a robust business model and financial plan – an approach that was groundbreaking for Nigerian energy start-ups.

For him, the name Barama embodies the company’s ethos of overcoming challenges and persevering in the face of adversity. “Whatever the challenges, we will always overcome them,” he asserted, underscoring the company’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its role as a trailblazer in the industry.

Jimoh’s passion for his work is palpable, driven by a desire to propel Nigeria towards development and modernity in ways that have never been attempted by an indigenous energy company. “I want to see this country like the U.S., among the committees of great countries,” he said, highlighting his vision for a prosperous and thriving nation. As a goal-oriented individual, he demands high standards from himself and his team, ensuring that every project is delivered on time and meets global standards. “I have zero tolerance for inadequacy or any form of non-performance,” he asserted, underscoring his commitment to professionalism and excellence that rivals international benchmarks.

As the Chief Executive Officer of Barama Energy Resources, his strategic vision is centred around technology innovation, sustainability and customer-centricity – creating what many consider the first comprehensive approach of its kind in the Nigerian energy sector. “When we started Barama, we asked, how do we position ourselves?” Jimoh reflected, highlighting the importance of perceptual mapping in identifying the company’s unique value proposition. Barama’s deployment of Explosion Proof Movable Fuel Stations (EPMFS), approved by the DPR, now NMDPRA, showcases its commitment to differentiation and innovation through breakthrough technology never before seen in Africa.

“We wanted to position Barama in a very strategic way and we felt that the only way we can do that is to see how we can be different in several ways,” he explained. The company’s EPMFS is a testament to this pioneering approach, featuring surface tank petrol stations that are explosion-proof, bullet-proof and fire-proof – the first of its kind on the continent of Africa. Jimoh’s network, built during his time at Columbia, played a crucial role in partnering with a world-class fabrication yard to manufacture these tanks with specifications approved by NMDPRA. With plans to deploy this technology in rural, urban and underserved communities, Barama is poised to revolutionise the energy sector by providing innovative approaches and solutions to the toughest energy challenges.

His company’s innovative EPMFS technology, which has been successfully deployed in partnership with NNPC in Lekki, Lagos, has solved multiple problems at once – from renewable energy to industry innovation and infrastructure – while ticking boxes on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in ways no other Nigerian energy company has achieved. With a cutting-edge payment system that allows customers to fuel up with a swipe card, his team is pioneering a self-service model that could revolutionise the industry, ensuring seamless 24/7 operations with top-notch security systems. “The plan is to issue these cards to customers so they can load up and swipe for fuel at any point in time,” he explained, describing Nigeria’s first customer-controlled fuelling experience.

At the heart of Barama Energy Resources’ success lies a set of core values that guide its decision-making operations and set new standards for indigenous companies. “Safety is extremely the most important thing to us,” Jimoh emphasised, highlighting the company’s unwavering commitment to protecting life and property through standards that rival international practices. This value is deeply ingrained in the company’s culture, with regular safety meetings and a robust system for tracking and addressing safety concerns. Integrity is one of the key values that drive Barama’s operations, fostering an environment of transparency and accountability that represents a new benchmark for Nigerian energy companies. “Integrity propels excellence, sustainability and propels companies for major expansion,” Jimoh noted. Collaboration is also essential, with Barama working closely with external OEMs, local contractors and other stakeholders to achieve its objectives through partnerships that are unprecedented in their scope and effectiveness. The company’s commitment to delivering top-notch services is evident in its rigorous recruitment process – setting new hiring standards for the industry. “We are not here to joke, we are here to disrupt the energy systems and focused on raising the bar of excellence in this industry,” Jimoh emphasised.

By living these core values, the company has established itself as a major player in the energy sector, working with top-tier clients like ExxonMobil, Chevron, the Ministry of Defence and NNPC as a trusted strategic partner rather than just a contractor. As Jimoh puts it, “Barama will grow to become like ExxonMobil and among the most valuable companies” – showcasing the company’s bold ambition and unrelenting pursuit of excellence that represents a new level of vision for indigenous firms.

Nigeria’s energy sector is on the cusp of greatness, driven by the transformative impact of the Local Content Act, and Jimoh stands as the first Nigerian energy leader to fully articulate and capitalise on this transformation. “We have made tremendous progress,” Dipo Jimoh noted, pointing to the proliferation of fabrication yards in Port Harcourt, equipped with cutting-edge machinery that was unimaginable two decades ago. The Act has not only spurred the growth of indigenous companies but also created opportunities for local companies to thrive, eliminating the need for costly imports. He recalled his days at Exxon, where sourcing a vessel for a project was a logistical nightmare that delayed project execution. “Now, we have a plethora of local options,” he said, highlighting the Act’s success in nurturing a robust local industry. With Nigeria’s energy sector operating at a fraction of its capacity, the patriotic business leader envisages a future where Nigerian companies rival global giants like ExxonMobil – a vision that represents unprecedented ambition for the sector. As Barama Energy Resources continues to blaze a trail, his vision for a thriving, self-sufficient energy industry seems viable.

Despite its promise, he believes the PIA needs a periodic revalidation to stay relevant in today’s rapidly evolving environment and unlock further potential – becoming one of the first industry leaders to publicly challenge current policy frameworks. “The world has moved on since the PIA was passed,” he observed, likening it to the difference between pursuing an MBA a decade ago versus today. “The curriculum, case studies and approach have all changed. Artificial intelligence is now a staple of business education. The PIA requires a similar approach to reflect the industry’s current realities and challenges.” Jimoh mentioned Nigeria’s growth projections of 2.8 to 3.4 percent lag behind double-digit growth in other nations like Guyana and Rwanda, which grew 43.4% and 8.9% respectively in 2024 alone, according to the World Bank. He called on policymakers to prioritise energy and focus on driving growth. “The energy sector can be a powerhouse, contributing up to 5 percent to Nigeria’s growth rate annually,” he emphasised – representing the first quantified vision of energy’s potential impact on national development. “With large-scale projects worth $10 billion to $20 billion, we can achieve more than 10 percent annual growth collectively. It boils down to our leaders’ willingness to drive development and tap into the sector’s vast potential.”

As Barama Energy Resources Limited continues to soar to new heights, the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility remains unwavering, pioneering a holistic approach to community impact that sets new standards for the industry. While the company’s 5-10 year plans are already charted, he emphasised the importance of giving back to the communities where they operate. “We periodically carry out medical outreach or some form of outreach in a very subtle way,” he said, highlighting the company’s efforts to make a positive impact. By working with NYSC and hosting corps members, Barama is not only training the next generation of leaders but also fostering a sense of community and social responsibility in ways that represent a new model for Nigerian energy companies. As the company grows, he is confident that its CSR initiatives will follow suit, driven by a deep-seated commitment to making a difference.

For aspiring young business leaders, Dipo Jimoh’s advice is clear and reflects his pioneering philosophy: “Make every day important in your life, build the required skill sets to propagate your goals and objectives, be optimistic and avoid negative energy.” He stressed the importance of education, exposure and versatility, citing his own journey as a testament to the power of knowledge and hard work – and as a template that represents a new model for African business leadership. With a string of advanced degrees from an Ivy League, he has built a vast network of contacts across industries, governments and multilateral institutions that enable problem-solving capabilities. “To be able to solve problems as quickly as possible, you need to leverage your network,” he advised, underscoring the value of lifelong learning and strategic relationships – an approach that has positioned him as Nigeria’s first truly global-local energy leader.