Robert was born Robert Izuchukwu Onyejekwe on the 28th of January 1973 in Enugu, into the family of Late James Chude Onyejekwe and Dr. Florence Uche Onyejekwe (Nee Agbakoba) from Ogboli Eke, Onitsha and Umu Ase, Onitsha respectively. The third and middle child of five children, he was an avid sports enthusiast, particularly Soccer and Squash.
The Family moved to Lagos and then Ilorin, Kwara State in 1980 where Robert attend University of Ilorin primary school. He then started his Secondary School education at University of Ilorin Secondary School. Upon completing his Secondary School education, he was accepted into the University of Ibadan to study Petroleum Engineering. The rest as they say, is history.
Robert Onyejekwe was an independent, technically competent and business savvy manager with over 25 years of experience. His later focus was on business transformation. Robert was also engaged on several executive board memberships and advisory roles in the energy transformation, infrastructure and Oil and Gas spaces.
Robert worked in four continents. Starting his career with SLB Drilling and Measurements Operations in 1996, Robert held various field, engineering and management positions. From 1998 to 2005 working as a field and engineering professional in Nigeria, United States, Cameroon and France. In 2005, he was assigned as Drilling and Measurements Operations Manager for Angola, East and Southern Africa. Later in 2008, he was appointed Global Recruiting, Training and Development manager based in Houston, Texas. In 2009 he was assigned as Drilling and Measurements General Manager for Nigeria and all Gulf of Guinea countries. In 2012 he moved to Dubai as Vice President of HR for the Middle East Area and later returned in 2015 as the Vice President and General Manager for Sub Sahara Africa.
Robert was the President, Bits and Drilling Tools product line with executive leadership, global strategy, technology portfolio and business management of one of the fastest growing business units in SLB. Under his leadership, several “game changing” Bits and Drilling technology were launched which is intended to provide the oil and gas industry with reduced driving cost by improving rate of penetration.
Roberts was the Global Director, Sales and Commercial for the Reservoir and Infrastructure group for SLB, and was responsible for the deal origination & growth play strategies for eight (8) business product lines focused on market maximization and penetration.
Robert was also keenly interested in educational development. He participated, since 2015, as a volunteer member of the Faculty of the Future panel, a SLB company initiative that selects and awards fellowships to women from developing and emerging economies to pursue PhD or Post-doctorate studies in science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines at leading universities worldwide. Robert joined the board of the Schlumberger Foundation in April 2017 in the capacity of Director.
Robert held a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Ibadan Nigeria, an MBA from the University of Rotterdam, Netherlands and a diploma in Finance from the IMD University, Switzerland. He was an active member of SPE since 1996. Robert was awarded in 2018 the award of the executive of the year by the University of Ibadan Alumni for his leadership and management skills.
Robert was married to Ngozi the love of his life and light of his world, together they have two amazing children Olivia and Owen. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.