Younger Professionals Should See Safety and Environmental Responsibility As The Heart of True Leadership, Says Agbakhamen

Dr. Cletus Onyemhese Agbakhamen, a distinguished engineer and renowned Climatologist, was honoured alongside Bill Gates, UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres, Professor Gerald Okeke Ndubuisi, the first African Professor of Climate Change and Sustainability, and 96 others at the Global Impact Personalities Summit and Awards organised by African Intercontinental Network in collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Abuja recently. In this interview with  journalists, he  speaks on the need for younger professionals to see safety and environmental responsibility as the heart of true leadership, his journey to the top, his blue print for success and sundry issues. Fadekemi Ajakaiye was there

Congratulations on  receiving this global award. Can you tell us  what it means to you?

This award is a humbling recognition of years of dedication to engineering, occupational health and safety, and climate change advocacy. For me, it is not just a personal honour but a call to continue creating impact—protecting lives, advancing innovation, and inspiring sustainable practices across industries. It affirms that the work we do in engineering, safety, and sustainability resonates globally.

What was going through your mind when you received the nomination for the award?

Honestly, it came as a surprise. I felt a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility. Gratitude to God, my family, my mentors, and my colleagues who have supported me through my journey; and responsibility to continue being a voice for engineering innovation, safety, and environmental stewardship.

What inspired you to pursue this profession, and what challenges did you face along the way?

My inspiration came from a passion for solving problems and protecting people through engineering and safety – I chose engineering because it blends creativity with problem-solving. The oil and gas industry, where I have spent many years, is high-risk, and my drive has always been to ensure no life is seriously injured or lost in pursuit of progress. The challenges have been many — bridging theory with practice, being innovative in finding and adapting to better alternative solutions, and balancing resource constraints, cost, and schedule with safety and environmental responsibility.

Can you walk us through your journey and highlight any pivotal moments that contributed to your success?

My journey has been shaped by years of diverse engineering practice. It began at the University of Benin, where I studied Electrical/Electronic Engineering, and was further shaped by my time at Michelin and Chevron where I had diverse and progressive engineering roles in automation and control, process engineering, project and construction engineering leadership roles. Another turning point was pursuing my PhD in Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability, which expanded my focus to global environmental solutions.

How do you hope your work will impact others, and what legacy do you wish to leave behind?

I want my work to show that engineering, safety, and environmental responsibility must always go hand-in-hand. My hope is to inspire younger professionals to see safety and environmental responsibility not as obligations but as the heart of true leadership. My hope is that others see engineering as a force for making workplaces safer, advancing innovation responsibly, and creating sustainable solutions for future generations.

In what ways do you believe your achievement can inspire or influence others in your field?

This award is evidence that excellence and integrity in one’s profession gets noticed. I believe it will inspire others to do their work with integrity, responsibly, to prioritize human lives above profits, and to remain committed to sustainable development even when it is difficult.

What advice would you give to others aspiring to achieve similar success?

First, build a strong foundation in your core discipline—master the basics. Second, embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. Third, build resilience, because success is not without setbacks. Finally, always anchor your work on values of integrity and service.

Looking back on your journey, what are some key lessons you’ve learnt, and how have they shaped you?

I  learnt that true leadership is about service and concern for human life. I also learnt that innovation without safety is incomplete, and that sustainability must guide our decisions. These lessons have shaped me into a professional who measures success not by titles, but by lives impacted.

How does it feel to receive this platform to further your work or support others in your field?

It feels empowering. The Summit provides a platform where engineering experiences from oil and gas, construction, and other fields can be translated into lessons and inspiration for others across the world. It is an opportunity to multiply impact, not just through one voice, but through the collaborations it will inspire.

Who is your mentor in this field? How will you describe his impact in your life and profession?

My ultimate role model is Jesus Christ, whose life of service, humility, and sacrifice guides my values. Professionally, I have also been blessed with mentors and colleagues who emphasized discipline, excellence, and getting results the right way. Their combined impact has helped me integrate engineering, leadership, safety, and compassion into my profession.