City People Magazine, Nigeria’s leading voice in celebrating excellence and profiling the nation’s top achievers, has officially announced the winners of the 2022 City People Outstanding Talents Awards. Among this year’s most celebrated honorees is Thompson Odion Igunma, a results-driven materials and manufacturing engineer recognised for his transformative contributions to materials & manufacturing engineering, process optimisation, and industrial operations.
The City People Outstanding Talents Awards, launched to celebrate Nigeria’s brightest minds in STEM, supply chain and business leadership, and accounting and finance, continues to attract nominees who have made measurable, national-level impact in their respective fields. The 2022 edition opened its call for nominations on April 1, 2022, and received an unprecedented 100,000+ nominations from across Nigeria and the diaspora, reflecting the award’s reputation as one of the most sought-after recognitions for professionals and innovators. After a rigorous review of this massive applicant pool, the editorial board and independent panel of judges selected a shortlist of finalists on November 21, 2022.
Today, City People proudly recognises Igunma as a winner in the STEM Award Category, citing his outstanding record in materials & process optimisation, lean manufacturing, quality management systems (QMS), and hazard and operability studies (HAZOP) that have helped advance Nigeria’s manufacturing and industrial sectors.
A Career Defined by Process Excellence
Thompson Igunma’s career spans more than 11 years of leadership in materials engineering and manufacturing operations at some of Nigeria’s most respected industrial organisations, including GZ Manufacturing Industries and Guinness Nigeria (member of the DIAGEO group). His technical journey began after earning a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) in Mechanical Engineering from Ambrose Alli University in 2010, where he built a strong foundation in materials science, metallurgy, manufacturing, and thermodynamics.
Over the course of his career, Igunma has consistently demonstrated the ability to drive measurable improvements in operational efficiency, plant reliability, and product quality. At GZ Manufacturing Industries, he led large cross-functional teams to meet production targets, improve workflows, and ensure adherence to safety and quality standards. His leadership focused on embedding Lean Six Sigma methodologies to eliminate waste, optimise resource use, and sustain cost savings that improved bottom-line results.
At Guinness Nigeria, he played a pivotal role, supporting materials, packaging and utilities operations, coordinating shift activities, and conducting process mapping and bottleneck analysis. He contributed to Kaizen initiatives that reduced downtime and improved throughput. His work also included implementing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) studies to enhance operational safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
Technical Leadership and Contributions
The selection committee emphasised that Igunma’s profile stood out because of his combined expertise in quality management systems, hazard identification, and cross-functional training, which align with global best practices in modern manufacturing. His implementation of GMP and HACCP protocols, coupled with his focus on continuous improvement and plant reliability, has had a tangible impact on product quality and workforce safety.
As part of his leadership mandate, Igunma has coordinated materials sampling, testing, and evaluation processes for new products, managed materials & equipment calibration and maintenance programs for measurement equipment, and trained production teams to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs). These contributions have positioned him as a change agent capable of elevating organisational performance while ensuring compliance with national and international standards.
Research and Publications
Beyond his work in industry, Igunma has contributed to the academic and technical knowledge base through multiple peer-reviewed publications. His work includes co-authoring studies on precision measurement systems, wastewater treatment process intensification, fluidized bed reactor applications, and pH-control systems in industrial effluent treatment. These papers, published in respected outlets such as IRE Journals and the International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, demonstrate his commitment to advancing scientific solutions for real-world industrial challenges.
Such contributions were highlighted by the award committee as evidence of innovation and originality — one of the core criteria for the City People Outstanding Talents Awards. His research provides frameworks that improve environmental compliance and process safety in manufacturing, thereby addressing both economic and public health concerns.
Meeting the Award Criteria
The City People Outstanding Talents Award evaluates candidates on four pillars: innovation and originality, impact and influence, leadership and excellence, and recognition and achievements. In Igunma’s case, the judges noted that his work not only meets but exceeds these benchmarks:
- Innovation and Originality: Introduced process improvements that optimised material usage and improved scheduling, leading to measurable cost savings.
- Impact and Influence: Strengthened compliance with safety and regulatory standards, improving plant reliability and protecting workers and consumers alike.
- Leadership and Excellence: Managed cross-functional teams and mentored new employees, building technical capability and creating a culture of excellence.
- Recognition and Achievements: Published widely cited technical papers and delivered results that improved efficiency across multiple production sites.
National and Industry Significance
City People’s editorial statement emphasised that celebrating professionals like Igunma is vital for Nigeria’s development, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, where efficiency, safety, and sustainability are essential drivers of competitiveness. His work aligns with national goals of industrialisation, job creation, and capacity building for Nigeria’s growing economy.
According to the editorial board:
“Thompson Igunma represents the calibre of talent that City People seek to highlight through these awards — professionals whose daily contributions may be behind the scenes but whose impact is felt across entire industries. By improving manufacturing efficiency and compliance, he is helping Nigerian industries remain competitive in a globalised market.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Igunma’s story is also one of mentorship and knowledge sharing. Before entering full-time industry practice, he served as a teacher at St. Michael College, where he taught Basic Technology, Physics, and Chemistry. There, he developed lesson plans, set up laboratories, and introduced project-based learning modules that inspired students toward national science examinations. This early teaching experience shaped his belief in building capacity within the workforce and remains a guiding principle in his approach to leadership today.
Looking Ahead
In his acceptance remarks, Igunma expressed gratitude to City People Magazine for recognising his work, stating:
“This award is not only a personal honour but also a testament to the importance of manufacturing excellence to Nigeria’s economy. I remain committed to driving process improvements, advancing safety and compliance standards, and mentoring the next generation of engineers.”
About City People and the Awards
Founded in 1996, City People Magazine remains Nigeria’s premier soft-sell publication and has been at the forefront of profiling success stories across entertainment, business, politics, and technology. Its Outstanding Talents Awards program has become one of the nation’s most respected platforms for recognising excellence, and winners are celebrated across City People’s print editions, website, and social media platforms, providing nationwide visibility.
The 2022 ceremony continues City People’s tradition of recognising individuals whose work not only meets professional benchmarks but also advances national priorities and societal progress. The fact that Thompson Igunma emerged as a winner from a field of over 100,000 nominations underscores the exceptional nature of his achievements and cements his place among Nigeria’s most impactful industrial leaders.
