AUSTIN AVURU

Augustine Ojunekwu Avuru, popularly known as austin avuru, is the Md/Ceo of one of nigeria’s leading crude oil exploration companies, seplat Petroleum development Company Plc. his is not inherited wealth but selfmade as a result of hard work and sheer dint of courage and confidence and the success of his business is a testament to that. as one of nigeria’s most astute businessmen, avuru is a role model for many youths who can see that hard work really pays off. yes, opportunities and some luck might come in handy but knowing how to seize the moment and use it to your advantage is what really counts. and like most self-made men, teaching their offspring how to fish is what guarantees them a legacy to leave behind.

austin avuru got a degree in Geology, from the University of nigeria, nsukka in 1980 then went to University of ibadan for a Postgraduate diploma in Petroleum engineering, graduating in 1992. in 1980, avuru begun his career in nnPC where he worked for 12 years, after which he moved on to allied energy Resources where he worked for another 10 years then left to set up on his own and that was how Platform Petroleum limited was berthed which now became seplat Petroleum Company Plc when he merged with a.B.C orjiakor’s shebah Petroleum Company limited. KONYE NWABOGOR reports.

Who played a major role in your life whilst growing up and how has that helped define the man you are today?

My Mother. she always admonished us that when you are blessed with a clean piece of yam, learn to hide it under the table. she always underplayed her accomplishments. such has always been her humility. In addition, she always exhibited the virtues of integrity and generosity.

now that you are 60, looking back, what are some of the major milestones in your life that come to mind?

having kids. I had my first daughter 13 years after my first marriage. 15 years later, I started having my current set of young kids from my wife, Victoria. so you can see how I went from having no kid in 13 years to now having two sons and three daughters. only god can do such things.

The second key milestone was venturing out of paid employment 16 years ago. It enabled me seek and deliver my full potentials.

after losing your dad at the tender age of four making your mum a single mother, did you have to become a man at a relatively young age to carry some of her responsibilities to lighten her burden?

My mum played the role of both mother and father. even today, at 85 and not very strong, she has a huge influence on all of us, her six children.

can you recall any fond memories of your dad as he passed away at your infancy?

Carrying me on his shoulders. That is all I can faintly remember.

What gave you succour during this trying time?

My mum filled the gap. The extended family structure in the village also helped a great deal. how long have you been in the oil business and for our young readers who look up to your success story for inspiration, what are the key things to know and master before veering into the oil & gas sector?

I had my first daughter 13 years after my first marriage. 15 years later, l started having my current set of young kids from my wife, Victoria. So you can see how l went from having no kid in 13 years to now having two sons and three daughters. Only God can do such things

(plus a good dose of god’s grace) will always, ultimately produce results.

Many also believe nigeria’s reliance on the oil & gas sector backfired on us as a nation when the prices crashed. What is your take on this?

oil & gas revenues should only be an enabler (like any other rental revenue) for broader economic development. we have failed, over the past 60 years to utilize it prudently. we have behaved the way a randy and undisciplined child treats his inheritance.

We are also nation blessed with oil minerals and yet most of our refineries are working below capacity if at all, for lack of care and upkeep, not to mention the numerous issues with bunkering. in layman’s terms, what will you advice to be done in order for us to produce oil at its fullest capacity?

government should only provide the enabling environment for the Private sector to efficiently operate the industry. The refineries should be sold.

With abundant oil in our shores, why is it that we still experience petrol shortage every now and then?

our three refineries, which were properly interlinked to an elaborate distribution system of pipelines and 19 depots across the Country are all dysfunctional! This huge infrastructure network has been abandoned for wholesome importation. Until we revamp this infrastructure, the nation will continue to suffer from shortages and leakages.

you have written a book. What is it about and what inspired you to write it?

That was a compilation of my opinion articles and public lectures up to 2005. since I took this job in 2010, I have stopped writing, for fear of my views jeopardising the fortunes of the Company I now run.

has it been launched and where is it being sold?

It is sold quietly out of my office and at industry conferences. It was never launched.

how did you meet your wife and what is her most endearing trait to you?

I met her at an oil & gas Conference in Zaria in May 2006 when she was till a geology undergraduate. she is a very strong personality and very hard working and also a very strong pillar of support, she reminds me of my mum.

at 60, do you have any plans of retiring soon?

By god’s grace, I will retire around my 62nd birthday.

and if so what do you plan to do after retirement?

I will manage a small investment Company focusing on oil and gas upstream, real estate, Capital Market Investment and agriculture.

like most successful businessmen, you do not have the luxury of spending enough quality time with your family. so when you do have this luxury, what do you most enjoy doing with your family?

we spend quality time in our homes in the village and in houston for two-three weeks respectively each year.

Do you have any favourite holiday spots and if so, do so tell us why you love this place it so much?

our homes in the village and houston, south africa, Monaco and summer in Calgary.

Most people have a bucket list (things they will like to do before their time is up). at 60, have you been able to tick some, if not all, of your boxes? and if not, what things are still on that list that you will like to do god willing?

My remaining strong wish is to build a Catholic (Jesuit) secondary school in my village.

if you were to be described by your wife, children and friends, what do you think each party will say about you?

They will most likely say I am their role model and mentor.

Most people feel some sense of obligation to give back to society. Do you have any foundation you have set up solely for this cause and if so, what is it called and what is the goal of the ngo?

The austin avuru Foundation. we have been giving back. a Catholic Church with generous Clergy residences in abbi and a well-equipped, 50-bed hospital in abbi built and handed over to the Catholic Church are some of our star projects. Platform Petroleum was also built in my honour, a fully equipped geology Department for my alma mater, Unn. we also run various secondary and tertiary scholarship schemes.

in a nation of disillusioned youths who do not see a better tomorrow in their future, what advice will you give them to boost their morale and boost their confidence in this better tomorrow?

The youths of today have to seize the future from the current breed of failed leaders. The future belongs to them.

The youths of today have to seize the future from the current breed of failed leaders. The future belongs to them.