Nigerian Finance Leader Reshapes Global Cash Flow Strategy at Baker Hughes

By Tosin Clegg

As global corporations navigate economic uncertainty and rising operational complexity, the demand for finance leaders who can turn volatility into value has never been greater. One such leader making waves on the international stage is Inia Oboigbator, a US-based Nigerian finance professional redefining how cash flow is managed across the energy sector.
With over 12 years of cross-industry experience spanning energy, healthcare, aviation, and digital technology, Oboigbator currently serves as Senior Finance Manager for Cash Flow Planning and Analysis at Baker Hughes. In this role, he oversees cash optimization efforts across North America for the company’s Industrial and Energy Technology segment—a critical pillar of one of the world’s foremost energy technology firms.
Oboigbator’s approach is both strategic and hands-on. By partnering closely with area leaders and contract performance managers, he ensures that financial strategy is tightly aligned with operational execution. His colleagues describe him as data-driven, practical, and deeply collaborative—a leader who brings clarity to complexity.
A key component of his role involves leading high-stakes customer negotiations to resolve disputes and reduce invoice discrepancies. These efforts have resulted in more predictable payment timelines and significantly improved cash collections. In parallel, he has streamlined reporting processes to enhance decision-making and increase financial visibility across service portfolios.
“Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, especially in capital-intensive industries like energy,” Oboigbator noted in a recent leadership forum. “Our goal is to ensure that financial planning not only supports performance but also builds resilience.”
His impact at Baker Hughes builds on a distinguished career that began at KPMG in Lagos, where he developed core expertise in audit, compliance, and internal controls. He later joined General Electric, where he held roles across GE Oil & Gas, GE Digital, GE Healthcare, and GE Aviation, supporting financial planning, project financing, and digital transformation across Africa, Europe, and the United States.
Oboigbator holds an MBA and is a Chartered Accountant (ACA), credentials that complement his engineering background from Covenant University, where he graduated among the top ten in his class. His career reflects a rare blend of technical depth, strategic foresight, and global perspective.
Industry observers say his rise is emblematic of the growing influence of Nigerian professionals in global finance leadership. “Inia represents a new generation of African talent shaping the future of global business,” said one analyst. “His work shows how disciplined financial leadership can drive performance even in the most uncertain environments.”
Now based in Houston, Oboigbator continues to lead transformation initiatives that strengthen financial agility and operational excellence—proving that with vision, adaptability, and execution, finance can be a powerful engine for growth.