In recognition of his transformative impact on industrial energy systems and operational safety, City People Magazine has awarded Musa Adekunle Adewoyin the 2022 Outstanding Talent STEM Award in Energy Engineering and Maintenance Innovation.
This prestigious award, part of City People’s annual celebration of excellence in science, technology, and engineering, highlights the work of trailblazers redefining technical standards in high-stakes industries. Out of more than 100,000 global nominations, Musa emerged as a standout figure whose pioneering efforts are elevating engineering practice across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
At the centre of this recognition is Musa’s exceptional work as a Senior Electrical Specialist and Energy Isolation Authority at ExxonMobil Nigeria. His leadership in managing complex electrical infrastructure, especially in offshore environments where precision and safety are non-negotiable, has become a benchmark for best practices in energy engineering. Through a career defined by foresight and resilience, Musa has delivered technical innovations that extend beyond mere compliance, addressing systemic vulnerabilities and setting new standards for operational continuity.
Among his most notable contributions is the 5kV Fire Water Pump Remote Start Upgrade project, which he spearheaded to enhance safety and equipment reliability in compliance with NFPA 70E electrical safety standards. This initiative, executed with careful coordination and engineering discipline, now serves as a model for hazard elimination and risk-informed system design in mission-critical pump stations. His ability to foresee potential failures and engineer preventive solutions distinguishes him not only as a maintenance strategist but as a systems thinker driving sustainable progress.
“Musa represents the kind of engineer who makes systems smarter, not just safer,” said Wale Lawal, Senior Editor at City People. “He is a rare breed—one who brings both deep technical mastery and a vision for the future of infrastructure resilience.”
Throughout his tenure at ExxonMobil, Musa has led dozens of reliability-centred maintenance projects, including the strategic replacement of a 295Ah battery bank that restored emergency system performance, and arc flash mitigation programs that have fundamentally improved the safety culture offshore. His results speak volumes: system uptime has improved by over 25%, unplanned shutdowns have sharply declined, and the operational risk profile of his assigned assets has been significantly reduced.
But Musa’s impact is not limited to hardware or project milestones. As a Workplace Competency Assessor and mentor, he has trained over 75 junior engineers and technicians, embedding a culture of discipline, diagnostic rigour, and technical curiosity. His teaching spans advanced PLC troubleshooting, vibration analysis, and fault isolation in medium- and high-voltage systems—translating real-world experience into generational capacity building.
These achievements are built on a foundation of methodical training and diverse fieldwork. From his early days at Coca-Cola HBC Nigeria, where he honed his skills in automated bottling lines and CMMS platforms to his ascent through increasingly complex roles at ExxonMobil, Musa has demonstrated a rare ability to transfer knowledge across systems, industries, and technologies. His credentials, which include certifications from the City and Guilds of London Institute and specialised training in offshore safety and project management, reinforce his multifaceted expertise.
While his name is firmly established within engineering circles, Musa’s influence extends into philanthropy and STEM advocacy. As a founding member of the Adewoyin Help of Grace Foundation, he funds academic scholarships and leads outreach programs that support underprivileged youth in Lagos. His contributions to alumni technical networks and industry mentorship initiatives further reflect his enduring commitment to building both infrastructure and people.
“Engineering at its highest form is not just about equipment, but about accountability, to people, to progress, to possibility,” Musa told City People in a recent interview. “Every safe shutdown avoided, every system restored, every student empowered—that’s where the real value lies.”
By honouring Musa Adekunle Adewoyin, City People Magazine recognises more than technical prowess. It acknowledges a body of work that is reimagining how maintenance engineering can become a lever for national reliability, workforce development, and sectoral resilience. In a region navigating the twin pressures of energy transition and industrial modernisation, talents like Musa are relevant and indispensable.
Musa is not merely sustaining systems. He is advancing an engineering ethos grounded in safety, mentorship, and strategic foresight—building a legacy that lights the path for Nigeria’s energy future.
