OLASUNKANMI NAFIU
Portharcourt,Nigeria
Summary
Accomplished Mechanical Engineer with over a decade of experience in refinery operations, air separation units (ASU), and project engineering within the oil and gas sector. Proven expertise in executing capital projects, overseeing commissioning activities, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage budgets, and drive process optimizations to enhance operational efficiency.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
OPERATIONS ENGINEER
ARADEL HOLDINGS PLC
Lagos, Nigeria
12.2019 - Current
- Oversee daily refinery operations, ensuring optimal performance of production units and adherence to safety protocols.
- Manage Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Fire and Gas, and Emergency Shutdown (ESD) systems from the Central Control Room.
- Implemented, promoted and integrated new operations projects and initiatives.
- Implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during plant start-up, shutdown, and maintenance activities.
- Coordinate and supervise plant operators, providing guidance and ensuring compliance with operational standards.
- Conduct regular audits and inspections to identify areas for process improvement and cost optimization.
- Collaborate with project engineering teams on pre-commissioning activities, plant upgrades, and modifications.
- Ensure environmental compliance by monitoring discharges and emissions, maintaining records, and reporting deviations.
PRODUCTION/PROCESS SUPERVISOR(ASU)
AIR LIQUIDE NIGERIA
Portharcourt, Rivers
11.2017 - 12.2019
- Fully supports, instills, and reinforces corporate Health, Safety, and Environmental policies/procedures and relevant documentation at the facility
- Maintains quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards
- Ensures operation of equipment by calling for repairs, evaluating new equipment and techniques
- Provides manufacturing information by compiling, initiating, sorting, and analyzing production performance records and data, answering questions, and responding to requests
- Maintains safe and clean work environment by educating and directing personnel on the use of all control points, equipment, and resources, maintaining compliance with established policies and procedures
- Coordinates production/maintenance tasks within facility work group without interruption of customer product deliveries
- Assists with facility record keeping and documentation, innovations, and improvement projects
- Assists with on-site contractors, support of Hold Harmless policies/procedures, customer relations as applicable
- Supervise operation of PTW system
- Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies
- Conducted regular inspections of finished products to adhere to quality standards and specifications
- Identified and addressed deviations or defects, implementing corrective measures to maintain product integrity
- Minimized accidents by maintaining clean and organized work spaces
- Utilized approved safety and protective equipment during machine operation
- Participated in safety training and drills, promoting strong understanding of emergency protocols and response plans
- Responded to alarms by making equipment adjustments and alerting designated staff to address critical situations
- Executed emergency shutdown procedures as necessary to prevent equipment damage
- Enforced strict safety protocols and procedures for plant operations
- Minimized downtime with regular troubleshooting of equipment malfunctions
PROJECT ENGINEER/ONSITE-MANAGER (PRECOMMISSIONING/COMMISSIONING, ENGINEER)
AIR LIQUIDE NIGERIA
Portharcourt, Rivers
07.2013 - 12.2019
- Project materials evaluation and costing
- Coordination and management of project team members
- Attend to risk assessment JHA OR JRA meetings
- Prepare materials, Bags & Tags prior to offshore works on site before mobilization
- Fix technical issues raised offshore and onshore by clients
- Ensure that applicable procedures are implemented (safety and risk assessments, document control, material reconciliation, as built, close out, etc.)
- Ensure minutes are taken; action items listed, assigned, and followed through at any kickoff meeting of a project on site
- Prepare material requisition for Hook-up tools & equipment (fittings and flanges)
- Review of Hook-up preparation documents to match all requirements
- Participate in offshore surveys (Tie in point's identification by physical marking with clients and use of P&ID)
- Physical progress reporting (day-day activity reports)
- Clarify technical issues relative to scope of work upon request
- Assist the project lead in daily tasks (reporting, draft of mobilisation plans and other as required)
- Handle technical challenges offshore (and issue technical queries as required)
- Update existing Job cards upon request
- Identify all potential new scopes, not covered by Job cards
- Participate to final operations report (feedback and lessons learnt)
- Executes maintenance works
- Preparation of job Hazard Analysis
- Arranging for team project too-box meeting on site
- Preparation of Engineering Works Pack/for Plant Commissioning leak test
- Pre-Commissioning Services: Maintenance Services: Hydro-testing, dewatering, drying of pipeline and flowlines
- Nitrogen Inerting and post purge services for pipeline and vessels
- Commissioning leak test and nitrogen packing of pipeline and facilities
- Pipeline leak maintenance and repair works
- Vacuum drying, Air-drying of process plant and pipelines
- Chemical cleaning of pipelines
- Nitrogen purging of vessels/facilities and pipelines
- Facility nitrogen leak checks and nitrogen/helium leak checks
- Pipeline flange integrity checks and bolt tensioning
- Operational pigging of gas pipelines
- Hydro-testing and drying of pipeline after repair& maintenance work
- Managed budget development and regulated project expenses, negotiating favorable prices with vendors and contractors
- Applied management techniques to manage project progress and deliver final job
- Worked closely with clients to understand vision and requirements, translating details into actionable project plans
- Identified, analyzed and mitigated risks to prohibit potential delays to project completion
- Organized project meetings to discuss changes, provide project direction and offer insight into possible challenges
- Followed commissioning plan, meeting development schedules and enabling projects to stay on track
PRODUCTION/PROCESS(ASU) ENGINEER
AIR LIQUIDE NIGERIA
Portharcourt, Rivers
06.2014 - 11.2017
- Fully supports, instills, and reinforces corporate Health, Safety, and Environmental policies/procedures and relevant documentation at the facility
- Assists and supports facility manager in maintaining responsibility for a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly operating environment at the facility
- Responsible for project management, Engineering and Technical layout of equipment
- Operation and maintenance of air separation plants for the production and liquefaction of industrial gases
- The air separation plants comprise of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), compressors (reciprocating and centrifugal), expansion turbines, heat exchangers (intercoolers, condensers, and evaporators), pumps, centrifugal and reciprocating, cooling towers
- Operation and controls of the equipment panels both fields located and in the control room
- Regulating the control loops to ensure quality control of product
- Plant Start-up and Shut down operations
- Leads safety meetings; trains others to follow safety rules
- Operations of DCS, Fire and Gas and ESD systems from Central Control Room
- Performance of all jobs in the plant or its operation; troubleshoot the process and makes plant decisions
- Perform complex plant function, including derime and warm plant start up
- Takes initiative to improve facility (i.e., Operations, reliability, cost structure) with direction
- Participate in troubleshooting, repairs, and calibration of control valves, pneumatic and electronic control equipment and instruments
- Actively demonstrates identified lead person skill sets in daily operational duties
- Ensures customer product delivery requirements and pertinent documentation/reporting requirements are satisfactorily being efficiently met
- Coordinates production/maintenance tasks within facility work group without interruption of customer product deliveries
- Assists with facility record keeping and documentation, innovations, and improvement projects
- Supervise operation of PTW system
GRADUATE MAINTENANCE ENGINEER
DIL/MALTEX NIG. LTD
Agbara, Lagos
11.2011 - 10.2012
- Maintenance and repair bottling and production equipment such as pasteurizers, filling Machine, electronic bottle scanner, labelers, bottle washer, bottle parker and unparker
- Assembling and servicing of generators
- Maintenance and servicing of air conditional system
- Maintenance and servicing of electrical and mechanical parts
- Installation and repair of boilers and water pumps
- Maintenance of compressors and valves
- Reading of PID of the plant
- Coordinated and submitted reports on repair, maintenance and project requirements to help management make sound decisions
- Logged completed work orders and updated pending status orders in company system
- Assembled equipment and components at job sites to complete quick installations
- Supported equipment longevity with regular cleaning and lubrication
- Managed daily maintenance for electrical, mechanical and structural systems
- Enhanced team efficiency and regulatory compliance with updated SOPs and work instructions
INTERN TRAINEE
NIGERIAN AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Ikeja, Lagos
01.2010 - 04.2010
- Maintenance and repair of generators and light duty machines
- Maintenance and servicing of air conditional system
- Maintenance and servicing of electrical and mechanical parts
- Gathered and assembled data for engineers by researching assigned field
- Worked closely with and assisted engineers to conduct various engineering assignments
Education
MASTER OF TECHNOLOGY (M.TECH) - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (PRODUCTION)
Rivers State University of Science & Technology
Portharcourt, Rivers, Nigeria09-2025
MASTER'S OF ENGINEERING (M.ENG) - ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT (MECHANICAL)
University of Port Harcourt
Portharcourt, Rivers, Nigeria06.2023
BACHELOR'S OF ENGINEERING (B.ENG) - ENGINEERING (MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
University of Ilorin
Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria06.2011
Skills
- Project Management: Capital project execution, contractor coordination, budget stewardship, and schedule management
Technical Expertise: Process optimization, DCS operations, equipment commissioning, and maintenance planning
Safety & Compliance: Implementation of JHA, PTW, LOTO procedures, and adherence to environmental regulations
Software Proficiency: AutoCAD, Microsoft Office Suite, and project management tools
Leadership & Communication: Team supervision, cross-functional collaboration, and stakeholder engagement
Affiliations
- Nigeria Society of Engineers, 2023-01-01, Present
- Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), 2023-01-01, Present
- Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), 2013-01-01, Present
Languages
- English, Fluent
- Yoruba, Fluent
Trainings And Certificates
- Operation Management-IHRDC, 2022
- Basic Refining Operations-IHRDC, 2022
- Plant Production and Safety - IHRDC, 2022
- Refining and Products Specifications-IHRDC, 2022
- Distillation Operations and Control System-IHRDC, 2022
- Emission Control-IHRDC, 2022
- Crude oil Transportation and Storage-IHRDC, 2022
- Hydrocracking and Hydrotreating Process Technology- ETL Engineering Services LTD, 2021
Timeline
OPERATIONS ENGINEER
ARADEL HOLDINGS PLC
12.2019 - Current
PRODUCTION/PROCESS SUPERVISOR(ASU)
AIR LIQUIDE NIGERIA
11.2017 - 12.2019
PRODUCTION/PROCESS(ASU) ENGINEER
AIR LIQUIDE NIGERIA
06.2014 - 11.2017
PROJECT ENGINEER/ONSITE-MANAGER (PRECOMMISSIONING/COMMISSIONING, ENGINEER)
AIR LIQUIDE NIGERIA
07.2013 - 12.2019
GRADUATE MAINTENANCE ENGINEER
DIL/MALTEX NIG. LTD
11.2011 - 10.2012
INTERN TRAINEE
NIGERIAN AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT AGENCY
01.2010 - 04.2010
MASTER OF TECHNOLOGY (M.TECH) - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (PRODUCTION)
Rivers State University of Science & Technology
MASTER'S OF ENGINEERING (M.ENG) - ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT (MECHANICAL)
University of Port Harcourt
BACHELOR'S OF ENGINEERING (B.ENG) - ENGINEERING (MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
University of Ilorin