Dr. Timi Oriaku has emerged as the first African and Nigerian to win the prestigious Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Award of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in the 35-year history of the honour.
Oriaku, who serves as Lead for Environmental Management at NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NEPL), received the award during the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition Awards Banquet held on October 21, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
In a statement, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) congratulated her on the achievement, describing it as a milestone that highlights her exceptional contributions to environmental protection and HSE standards in the oil and gas industry.
NNPCL said Oriaku’s work in advancing technical knowledge and leading transformative environmental initiatives—particularly as the World Environment Day Theme Ambassador in NEPL host communities—has set a new benchmark for health, safety, and sustainability practices.
The company added that her global recognition reinforces its core values of integrity, excellence, and sustainability, and reflects Nigeria’s growing leadership in the sector.
It reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainable HSE excellence as the foundation of its current operations and future legacy.
