By Adewale Adesope
In Ipokia, a quiet corner of Ogun State, a monumental vision is taking shape, one that could redefine Nigeria’s energy future. Leading this transformation is Dr. Lukman Akande Bolaji, the Chairman and CEO of Gasoline Associates International Limited (GAIL). His bold initiative, the GAIL Oil Refinery Project, is one of Nigeria’s most ambitious private-sector efforts to revolutionize the petroleum industry and deliver long-term economic empowerment.
Dr. Bolaji is a seasoned technocrat, entrepreneur, and a man of many firsts. With over 25 years of diverse professional experience spanning information technology, banking, energy, academia, and international business consulting, he embodies a rare blend of technical expertise and visionary leadership. His credentials are equally remarkable: he is a fellow and member of globally recognized institutions, including the Institute of Internal Auditors, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Nigeria Institute of Management, Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK), and the Chartered Institute of Cost and Management Accountants (Nigeria). This robust intellectual and professional foundation equips him with unmatched insight to steer GAIL’s operations with precision and foresight.
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His international footprint extends across Nigeria, China, and the United States, while his previous role as director and Person of Significant Control at Gasoline Associates International UK Limited underscores his ability to bridge global capital with local opportunities. Dr. Bolaji’s leadership style is defined by strategic foresight and grassroots engagement, ensuring that host communities are not mere spectators but active beneficiaries of the development unfolding around them.
The GAIL Oil Refinery Project is designed to process 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day in its initial phase, with the capacity to scale up to 450,000 barrels daily. Once operational, it will deliver essential fuels such as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and Jet Fuel (ATK), along with petrochemical derivatives for both domestic use and international markets. This initiative represents a strategic response to Nigeria’s dependency on imported petroleum products and positions Ogun State as a hub for energy and industrial innovation in West Africa.
The project has attracted attention from both local and international stakeholders, including the WOFBI Alumni Association, whose mission to promote transformational leadership resonates deeply with Dr. Bolaji’s ethos. His engagement with the Nigeria-American Chamber of Commerce, where he served as President of the Ogun State Chapter and later as a national director—further highlights his commitment to partnerships that foster economic diplomacy and sustainable development.
What sets Dr. Bolaji apart is not merely the scale of his achievements but the values that underpin them: faith, integrity, and a deep sense of purpose. In an era where public trust in private ventures can be fragile, he remains a refreshing example of leadership rooted in vision, accountability, and social impact.
The GAIL Oil Refinery Project is more than an industrial complex. For Dr. Bolaji, it is a legacy in the making—a promise of shared prosperity, national renewal, and a future where energy becomes a catalyst for progress.
As the WOFBI Alumni Association celebrates his story in Universal Truth Magazine, it underscores a broader narrative: Dr. Lukman Akande Bolaji is not merely refining oil. He is refining hope, transforming a bold vision into a legacy that generations will celebrate.
•Adewale Adesope, business analyst, writes from Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The post Dr Lukman Bolaji: Legacy of energy revolution, GAIL refinery project appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
