Olamide Bayeroju wins Dratech 2022 Supply Chain Innovation Excellence Award

By Stanley Mgbemele

A Recognition of Leadership, Logistics Transformation, and Strategic Innovation in the Global Energy Sector

The just-concluded Dratech International Conference 2022 ended on a high note as Ms. Olamide Bayeroju emerged winner of the Dratech Supply Chain Innovation Excellence Award, a recognition that celebrates professionals redefining supply chain efficiency and operational leadership across Africa’s energy industry.

Held in Lagos, the annual Dratech Conference brought together innovators, engineers, and business leaders to spotlight transformative achievements shaping Africa’s industrial and technological landscape. Among a pool of exceptional nominees, Olamide’s name stood out for her remarkable blend of data-driven decision-making, process optimization, and ethical leadership qualities that have become her professional signature.

For more than eight years, Olamide Bayeroju has steadily carved a niche in the oil and gas industry as a supply chain professional whose approach to logistics and operations combines precision, accountability, and innovation.

Her journey began at Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), where she quickly earned a reputation for her hands-on style and problem-solving ability. In her early years, she led initiatives that improved driver competence, optimized warehouse operations, and reduced equipment downtime — an achievement that set new internal benchmarks for efficiency. Her early success became the foundation for a career built on measurable results and a deep understanding of end-to-end operations.

By 2017, she had advanced into the role of Logistics Advisor and Planner, managing multimillion-dollar operational budgets and contracts within Shell’s intricate supply chain network. Her ability to apply data analytics to decision-making helped streamline planning processes, enhance compliance, and significantly cut operational costs. Colleagues recall her as a professional who could balance spreadsheets and strategy with equal ease — someone who spoke the language of both engineers and executives.

Olamide’s career took on a broader scope when she joined Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) as an Integrated Logistics Scheduler. There, she was responsible for coordinating offshore logistics across several deep-water assets in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, one of the most demanding environments in global energy operations.

Through meticulous planning and cross-functional collaboration, she designed and implemented logistics schedules that reduced vessel turnaround time, minimized downtime, and achieved substantial cost savings without compromising safety. Her leadership extended beyond planning; she spearheaded supplier audits, developed performance dashboards, and introduced tracking systems that remain in use for logistics reporting within Shell’s operations.

Colleagues often describe her approach as “structured innovation” — a balance of foresight and pragmatism that ensures progress is not only achieved but sustained.

In 2022, Olamide Bayeroju transitioned to Brunei Shell Petroleum, bringing her extensive experience to an international stage. As a Short-Term Integrated Activity Planner, she managed logistics coordination for more than 50 offshore platforms, ensuring seamless planning between multiple teams and departments.

Her leadership in developing logistics planning dashboards and performance-tracking systems provided teams with real-time visibility, improving accountability and overall operational performance. The solutions she implemented reflected a clear vision — use technology to empower people, simplify complexity, and create a culture of transparency.

Beyond operations, she has served as a Learning Lead for the Future Energy Leaders Programme and as a Business Integrity Ambassador, where she promotes ethical conduct, transparency, and continuous professional growth among young professionals. These roles reflect her belief that excellence in supply chain management extends beyond numbers; it lies in integrity, mentorship, and a shared commitment to progress.

The Dratech Supply Chain Innovation Excellence Award honors professionals who demonstrate outstanding achievement in optimizing complex logistics systems and advancing operational innovation across Africa’s energy sector.

According to the event’s judging panel, Olamide Bayeroju was selected for her “transformational leadership in offshore logistics management, her ability to bridge strategic planning with practical implementation, and her consistent record of delivering cost-efficient, safe, and data-driven outcomes.”

Her work reflects the conference’s core mission: to highlight individuals turning Africa’s industrial challenges into opportunities for growth and sustainability.

Celebrating Other Distinguished Professionals

The 2022 Dratech Conference also recognized ten other outstanding professionals in the same category, each representing excellence in their respective domains. They include:
• Ms. Olamide Bayeroju – Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production Company (SNEPCo), Nigeria
• Mr. Tinashe Dube – Sasol Energy Logistics, South Africa
• Engr. Nana Kwaku Owusu – Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Ghana
• Ms. Chika Nwokedi – TotalEnergies Nigeria Plc, Nigeria
• Mr. Victor Adeoye – Dangote Refinery Supply Chain Division, Nigeria
• Mrs. Rehema Kamau – Kenya Pipeline Company, Kenya
• Mr. Sibusiso Mthembu – Transnet Port Terminals, South Africa
• Mrs. Aisha Mohammed – NNPC Upstream Logistics, Nigeria
• Mr. Kwame Boateng – Tema Offshore Logistics Operations, Ghana
• Ms. Zanele Khumalo – BP Southern Africa (BPSA), South Africa

Together, they represent the evolving face of Africa’s innovation ecosystem — professionals whose collective work is shaping industries, empowering communities, and setting new standards of excellence.

Olamide Bayeroju’s recognition goes beyond her technical achievements. Her career demonstrates that innovation thrives where integrity meets curiosity. Whether in Nigeria or Brunei, she continues to mentor young professionals and advocate for ethical leadership in global operations.

Her story serves as a case study in how strategic planning, technology integration, and human-centered leadership can redefine what operational excellence means in the modern energy landscape.

In her brief remarks at the ceremony, Olamide expressed gratitude to Dratech International for recognizing professionals who strive to make a measurable impact.

“This award is a reminder that innovation begins with responsibility,” she said. “Every decision we make in logistics and planning affects not just business outcomes but the people and communities behind them.”

The Dratech International Conference and Innovation Awards is an annual event celebrating Africa’s most impactful minds in technology, business, and sustainability. It brings together leading organizations, entrepreneurs, and researchers to exchange ideas that drive progress in industries ranging from energy and finance to agriculture and education.

The 2022 edition, themed “Innovation for Sustainable Impact,” featured keynote sessions, exhibitions, and panel discussions that emphasized the need for home-grown technological solutions to global challenges. The awards highlight not just achievement but also accountability and vision — qualities embodied by this year’s winners.

As the curtains close on the 2022 edition, Dratech International has announced preparations for the 2023 Conference and Awards, calling on innovators, researchers, and professionals across Africa to participate. Next year’s event will focus on “Transforming Industries Through Sustainable Technology,” expanding its categories to include fintech, renewable energy, AI solutions, and smart manufacturing.

Professionals interested in participating can visit www.dratech.org for nomination details and partnership opportunities.

Ms. Olamide Bayeroju’s recognition as the Dratech Supply Chain Innovation Excellence Award Winner 2022 stands as a milestone not just in her personal journey but also in the larger story of African professionals transforming global industries.

Her career reflects a timeless truth: when expertise meets integrity and vision, innovation becomes inevitable.

As she joins the distinguished circle of Dratech laureates, her story continues to inspire a generation of leaders determined to shape the future of Africa’s energy and logistics sectors — one innovative solution at a time.