TELL Magazine

Engineer Andrew Yakubu rose through the ranks to the zenith of his career within a space of 33 years. It is clear that Yakubu, who has had a very successful tenure as the helmsman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, derives his winning formula from his level- headedness, humility, focus and professional acumen. Everything about him speaks of all these exemplary traits. He comes across as someone who understands well that synergy and unity of purpose are essential for the accomplishment of set goals. His cordial working relation with the Ministry in charge of his Corporation has helped to achieve the ongoing turnaround that we can all attest to.

A thoroughbred oil industry professional, he has spent all his post -graduation working life at NNPC apart from his national service year which he spent at Ondo State Water Corporation. Starting as Plant Operator, Kaduna Refinery in 1980, he rose to become Chief Operator and from 1985 to 1989 was Kaduna Refinery Shift Superintendent.

He was transferred to Warri Refinery as its Fuel Plant Superintendent/Officer-In-Charge from 1989-1991. Manager, Chemicals Procurement Department (PROMAS), Belema Gas Project (1998-2000); Obite Gas Project (1996-1999), Escravos Gas Project Phase 1-3/EGTL, (1993-2004). Manager, Project Coordination Department, Gas Division, NAPIMS (1999-2001).  Bonny Terminal Rehabilitation Project (2001-2002), Yoho Oil Development Project, MPNJV (2000 – 2004), East Area Oil Development Project, MPNJV (2000-2004). JV Oil Facilities (NAPIMS) (October 2001- April 2004).

He attained Executive Director grade in April, 2004 and served in that grade in two subsidiaries of the corporation first as Executive Director Operations, Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) from April 2004 to March 2005 and also as Executive Director, Operations National Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO) from March 2005 to December 2006.

Thereafter he served as Group General Manager, Technical Services for 10 months and was elevated to the position of Managing Director, Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company where he served for 40 months. His last posting before becoming Group Managing Director was as Group Executive Director in charge of Exploration & Production from February 2011 to June 2012. He  Group Managing Director, (GMD) on June 2012, a position he occupies till date.

Education

Date                           School                                               Qualification Obtained

Courses Attended

Engineer Andrew Yakubu has attended several courses at home and abroad in places like Lagos, Warri, Ijebu-Ode, USA, London, Japan, Switzerland, Spain, and Austria. A few of them include Strategy and Organisation, Graduate School of Business Studies, Stanford University, July 2011; Assertiveness, Communications and Negotiation Skills, London Management Centre in Nov. 2006; Essentials of Petroleum Refinery for Process Engineers (JCCP, Japan) in July/August 1985;Supervisory Management Course, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Lagos in June 1982 and New Management Trends, Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) 1990.

Awards

1987   NNPC GMD Award for Outstanding Performance

1997   Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers Presidential Merit Award

1995   NNPC, GMD Commendation for Excellent Performance in Management Development Program

1998   GGM NAPIMS commendation on cost saving on Obite Gas Project

NNPC Long Service Awards – 10 years, 15 years, 20 years and 25 years.

Fellowship

He is a Fellow of the following professional bodies: the Nigerian Academy of Engineering; Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers, Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering, Chemical Society of Nigeria. He is also a registered member of the Council for the Registration of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

Engr. Andrew Yakubu attained the pinnacle of his engineering career on Thursday June 19, 2014 when he was inducted as fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering. He was the youngest of the 14 inductees in to the prestigious club.

Andrew Laah Yakubu is of the Zangon-Kataf extraction of Kaduna State, Northwestern Nigeria and was born on 10th September, 1955.

He is a loving husband and caring father of six lovely children.