Robert Onyejekwe, a successful oil and gas executive based in Sugar Land, Houston, Texas, has been found dead in his hotel room in Ikoyi, Lagos. Onyejekwe, who was in Nigeria for business meetings, was discovered on the evening of Sunday, June 9, 2024.
The 51-year-old executive had traveled to Nigeria to oversee business dealings related to an oil and gas company he purchased four years ago. Sources said Onyejekwe planned to move back to Nigeria soon to personally manage the company after uncovering suspicious activities by those he had entrusted with its operation.
Onyejekwe’s death came as a shock, particularly given his active involvement in the industry and his recent hosting of the annual Over The Counter (OTC) party in Houston, Texas. His wife and a family friend are en route to Lagos to arrange for the return of his body to Houston for burial.
Born in Onitsha, Anambra State, Onyejekwe held a distinguished career in the oil and gas sector. He served as the President of Bits and Drilling Tools, a division of Schlumberger, where he led the development of innovative drilling technologies designed to reduce costs and improve efficiency in the oil and gas industry.
Before his role as President, Onyejekwe was the Global Director of Sales and Commercial for the Reservoir and Infrastructure group at Schlumberger. He was responsible for deal origination and growth strategies across eight business product lines, focusing on market expansion and penetration.
Onyejekwe’s academic credentials included a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Ibadan, an MBA from the University of Rotterdam, and a diploma in Finance from IMD University in Switzerland. He was an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) since 1996 and the Africa Energy Chamber.