“Excellence is not bound by geography. If I could rise from being a young field sales engineer in Nigeria to leading multimillion-dollar projects across Africa, then the next generation can achieve even greater things.” – Eniola Ilesanmi
Eniola Ilesanmi is a seasoned sales and business development leader whose career spans more than fifteen years of advancing growth across the global energy and industrial sectors. With a strong academic foundation; a Master of Science in Oil and Gas Engineering from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Electronic Engineering from the University of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria—he has consistently combined technical depth with commercial strategy to deliver measurable results.
Currently serving as Senior Service Sales and Account Manager at Baker Hughes, he oversees account and channel partner growth across Sub-Saharan Africa. In this role, he has managed multimillion-dollar contracts, raised customer conversion rates by fifteen percent through enhanced sales analytics, and delivered annual revenue increases of up to twenty percent. His leadership has been central to high-impact projects, including the rehabilitation of twenty-eight centrifugal pumps for the Nigeria Pipeline and Storage Company and the control system upgrade of a steam turbine generator at Dangote Fertilizer, projects that not only strengthened infrastructure but also positioned him as a trusted problem-solver to industry clients.
His earlier roles with General Electric and Siemens reflect the same pattern of achievement. At GE, he expanded regional sales from zero to over fifteen million dollars and sustained opportunity pipelines exceeding twenty-five million dollars while securing long-term service contracts with major national and indigenous oil and gas operators. At Siemens, he contributed to landmark power projects for ExxonMobil, Dangote, BUA Cement, and Golden Sugar, reinforcing his reputation as a professional capable of steering complex industrial initiatives to successful outcomes.
Beyond corporate success, Eniola is recognized for his thought leadership and contributions to knowledge. He has published on change management in B2B sales forces, authored the book Financial Independence Pathway: Seven Unique Investment Ideas to Transform Your Life, and earned national recognition for business excellence and youth empowerment from the Congress of Nigeria Youth. His achievements culminated in 2024 with the prestigious BAT International Innovation Award in the Business Development Excellence category, an honor that underscores his influence in shaping strategies, expanding markets, and empowering talent within and beyond Africa.
Eniola’s career is defined by more than numbers and contracts. It is marked by his ability to translate engineering insight into commercial growth, his skill in developing strategies that open new markets, and his dedication to creating long-term value for partners and clients. For collaborators, researchers, or global institutions evaluating his record, he stands out as an accomplished leader whose work continues to drive innovation, foster growth, and expand opportunity in the international energy and industrial landscape.
BAT Media Interview with Mr. Eniola Ilesanmi
Award Winner – Business Development Excellence Award, BAT International Innovation Awards 2024
Q1. First of all, congratulations on winning the BAT International Innovation Award in the Business Development Excellence category. How does it feel to have your work recognized on such a global stage?
Eniola Ilesanmi: Thank you. It is truly humbling to be recognized with this award, especially knowing the caliber of professionals who were nominated. For me, this recognition is not just a personal achievement but also a validation of the hard work, resilience, and consistency it takes to drive sustainable growth in industries as complex as energy and industrial services. Coming from Nigeria, a country with immense potential but equally significant challenges, I see this award as proof that when you stay committed to excellence and continue to push boundaries, the world will take notice. It is both a proud moment and a reminder that I must keep raising the bar for myself and for those coming behind me.
Q2. Your career spans more than fifteen years across Siemens, General Electric, and now Baker Hughes. Looking back, what defining experiences shaped you into the leader you are today?
Eniola Ilesanmi: My journey has been defined by opportunities that forced me to stretch beyond my comfort zone. At Siemens, I had the privilege of leading projects for companies like ExxonMobil, Dangote, and BUA Cement, which exposed me early to the scale and complexity of industrial infrastructure in Africa. Later at General Electric, I was tasked with building a business from scratch, taking it from zero to over fifteen million dollars in sales. That experience taught me the discipline of strategy, the importance of listening to customers, and the power of building trust over time. At Baker Hughes, my role has been about sustaining growth across Sub-Saharan Africa, managing multimillion-dollar contracts, and ensuring we deliver measurable results. Each stage came with unique lessons, but what has remained constant is my belief that technical expertise must always be matched with commercial insight and customer partnership if you want to achieve long-term success.
Q3. One of your most talked-about achievements is coordinating the rehabilitation of twenty-eight centrifugal pumps for the Nigeria Pipeline and Storage Company and upgrading the control system of a steam turbine at Dangote Fertilizer. Can you share more about what those projects meant for you personally and professionally?
Eniola Ilesanmi: Those projects stand out because they reflect what I consider the essence of my career—solving complex problems that have direct impact on national infrastructure. The rehabilitation of the centrifugal pumps was critical for improving pipeline reliability, which is central to Nigeria’s energy security. The steam turbine control upgrade at Dangote Fertilizer was another milestone, as it supported one of Africa’s largest industrial plants. For me, these were not just contracts to be executed. They were opportunities to demonstrate how global expertise, when applied locally with precision, can deliver real value. Personally, I took pride in seeing my team’s work contribute to projects of such national significance. Professionally, it reinforced my standing with clients as a trusted partner who can deliver solutions that matter.
Q4. You are widely recognized as a trusted problem-solver and a leader who combines engineering knowledge with commercial strategy. What philosophy drives your approach to leadership and business development?
Eniola Ilesanmi: I believe in three principles: integrity, partnership, and consistency. Integrity ensures that I deliver on promises and build trust with clients. Partnership means I see every engagement not as a transaction but as a long-term relationship where both parties grow. Consistency is about showing up, day after day, with the same level of commitment regardless of the size of the project. My engineering background gives me the ability to understand the technical side, but my role requires me to go further—to translate that technical knowledge into solutions that make commercial sense for the client. I have also learned that listening is just as important as speaking. When you truly understand what keeps your customer awake at night, you can create strategies that solve their pain points and deliver growth for your company.
Q5. Beyond your corporate achievements, you have published on change management in B2B sales and authored a book on financial independence. How important is thought leadership to you, and how do you balance that with such a demanding career?
Eniola Ilesanmi: Thought leadership is very important to me because knowledge that is not shared has limited impact. My publication on change management in B2B sales came from years of navigating organizational dynamics and seeing firsthand how change is often resisted in large sales forces. I wanted to document strategies that worked and offer perspectives others could learn from. My book, Financial Independence Pathway, came from a personal conviction that many professionals need practical guidance on how to build wealth and secure their future. Balancing these with my corporate role has not always been easy, but I see them as complementary. Writing and publishing sharpen my thinking, while my daily corporate work gives me the real-world case studies to draw from. In both spaces, my goal is to add value and empower others.
Q6. Finally, as a Nigerian making waves on the global stage, what message would you share with young professionals in Africa who aspire to follow a similar path in sales, business development, or the energy sector?
Eniola Ilesanmi: My message is simple: believe in your ability to compete globally. Too often, we underestimate ourselves because of where we come from, but I am living proof that excellence is not bound by geography. Build your foundation with knowledge, stay disciplined in execution, and never compromise on integrity. Seek out mentors, be willing to learn from every experience, and remember that the market always rewards value. Most importantly, don’t wait for opportunities to come perfectly packaged; create them. If I could rise from being a young field sales engineer in Nigeria to leading multimillion-dollar contracts across Sub-Saharan Africa, then the next generation can do even greater things.
Conclusion:
As our conversation draws to a close, one truth stands out clearly: Mr. Eniola Ilesanmi’s career is a story of vision, discipline, and purpose. From his early days as a field sales engineer to leading multimillion-dollar contracts across Sub-Saharan Africa, he has shown how technical knowledge, when paired with strategic thinking and integrity, can transform industries and build lasting value. His achievements at Siemens, General Electric, and Baker Hughes speak not only of personal excellence but also of the impact one individual can have on critical projects that power nations and sustain industries.
Recognition such as the BAT International Innovation Award in the Business Development Excellence category affirms his place among Nigerians making remarkable strides on the global stage. Bridge Africa Technologies is proud to celebrate him, not only for his professional achievements but also for the inspiration he offers to the next generation. His journey proves that with commitment, resilience, and the right mindset, young Nigerians can compete, contribute, and thrive anywhere in the world.
Mr. Ilesanmi leaves us with more than his accomplishments; he leaves a blueprint for young professionals who dream of creating meaningful impact. His story reminds us that success is not simply about closing deals or winning contracts, but about building trust, solving problems, and leaving a legacy that uplifts both community and country.
