Unwana Utuk: Blending Legal Precision with Business Strategy
For Unwana Utuk, success has never been about simply knowing the rules, it’s about knowing how to apply them in ways that create real, measurable value. With close to two decades of experience in the oil and gas industry, Unwana has built a reputation as someone who doesn’t just manage contracts, she transforms them into strategic tools for growth.
Currently serving as the Head of Supply Chain Management at Lekoil, Unwana brings a rare blend of legal expertise and commercial insight to the table. She’s known for navigating high-stakes negotiations and leading complex procurement efforts with a calm, calculated confidence. But beyond the legal jargon and business metrics, Unwana stands out for her ability to see the bigger picture, and connect every contract to a company’s long-term vision.
What truly defines Unwana’s leadership is her belief in accountability. She’s passionate about building performance-driven systems where contracts aren’t just signed, they’re measured, tracked, and held to the highest standards. She designs practical, clear-cut performance metrics that make it easier for teams to stay aligned, suppliers to deliver better, and businesses to reduce risk without compromising on compliance.
Colleagues describe her as someone who listens deeply, negotiates wisely, and always thinks five steps ahead. She doesn’t just check the legal boxes, she crafts strategies that give companies a competitive edge, especially in industries where the smallest oversight can have million-dollar consequences.
At her core, Unwana believes in using her expertise not just to enforce rules but to unlock value. Her journey is proof that when legal rigor meets commercial clarity, businesses don’t just survive, they thrive.
The Odyssey
Unwana’s career has evolved through two distinct domains—initially serving as an in-house lawyer and later transitioning to supply chain management within the oil exploration and production industry. This combination of legal and commercial expertise has provided her with a strategic advantage, allowing her to bridge the gap between these two worlds seamlessly. She can manage legal risks with precision while also optimizing commercial operations, ensuring that both the legal and business aspects of her role are handled with great efficiency.
Between mid-2014 and early 2016, global oil prices plummeted by an astonishing 70%, creating one of the most significant price collapses in modern history. This event, which ranked as one of the most severe since World War II, had a lasting impact on the industry. During this challenging period, Unwana was tasked with renegotiating supplier contracts to reduce expenditures by 50%. She was required to manage supplier relationships while simultaneously minimizing risk to the organization. This was a daunting task that demanded not only strategic negotiation skills but also a deep understanding of the market dynamics that were influencing the supply chain.
A similar downturn occurred in 2020, although the causes were different. The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically affected global oil demand, leading to a significant drop in crude oil prices. This crisis put immense pressure on the global supply chain, making it even more crucial to manage suppliers effectively. Unwana demonstrated resilience and adaptability during this time, gaining the trust of key stakeholders and securing favorable concessions from vendors, a feat that showcased her remarkable ability to navigate through uncertainty and emerge victorious.
LEKOIL: A Strategic Vision for the Future
LEKOIL, a prominent player in the African oil and gas industry with a focus on Nigeria, has seen significant growth and success in recent years. The company holds interests in key assets, including the Otakikpo Marginal Field (OML 11) and various properties in the Dahomey Basin. In the past year, LEKOIL achieved a remarkable milestone by drilling two new wells at the Otakikpo field, increasing its production capacity to approximately 10,000 barrels of oil per day. This achievement was completed without any reported Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) or negative environmental impact, reflecting the company’s commitment to safety and sustainability.
Looking ahead, LEKOIL has set its sights on further reducing production costs and exploring new methods to adapt to future low-price environments. The company’s core values—Integrity, Professionalism, Respect, Innovation, Drive, Teamwork, and Collaboration—serve as a foundation for its operations. LEKOIL prides itself on maintaining the highest ethical standards and prioritizes responsible and accountable practices in all its dealings with stakeholders. These values shape the company’s business practices, ensuring that it continues to set the highest standards for excellence in service delivery and operations.
Overcoming Challenges with Creative Solutions
Unwana views challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than obstacles that hinder progress. Throughout her career, she has developed a unique approach to problem-solving by focusing on the potential solutions hidden within challenges. One such instance was during the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted normal business operations and forced the implementation of remote work policies. This new working environment brought about the difficulty of balancing professional responsibilities with personal and family life. However, Unwana quickly adapted by embracing creativity and patience to adjust to this new reality, finding innovative ways to maintain productivity while ensuring personal well-being.
The pandemic also caused significant disruptions in the global supply chain, with delays in deliveries and rising transportation costs. Unwana, alongside her team, responded by exploring local sourcing options for certain materials and collaborating with other industry players to address these challenges. These creative solutions not only helped mitigate the impact of the pandemic but also positioned Unwana and her team to benefit from approaches that would have been overlooked under normal circumstances.
The Power of Simple Contracts and Gender Diversity in the Industry
For Unwana, the key to better business lies in the simplicity and clarity of contracts. She firmly believes that well-structured, user-friendly contracts can significantly improve business outcomes and create a positive social impact. Through her pioneering work with performance-based contracts (also known as smart contracts), Unwana has demonstrated that simpler, clearer agreements often outperform complex ones. By emphasizing clarity and engagement in contract design, she seeks to reduce misunderstandings and breaches, leading to smoother business operations.
Additionally, Unwana advocates for greater gender diversity within the oil and gas industry. She believes that empowering women to participate in the oil and gas supply chain, particularly at senior levels, is essential for fostering inclusivity and driving innovation in the sector. Her work not only focuses on business growth but also on creating a more equitable and diverse industry for future generations.
Unwana’s Leadership in Contracting Strategy
Unwana’s role in her organization is centered around developing and overseeing contracting strategies that ensure fair procurement practices, adherence to best practices, and the delivery of high-quality goods and services. As a manager, she is responsible for ensuring that the organization’s procurement processes run smoothly and cost-effectively. She collaborates closely with various departments to plan and monitor procurement activities, identify and address potential bottlenecks, and develop strategies to improve performance.
On a daily basis, Unwana is deeply involved in managing supplier relationships, ensuring timely deliveries, and negotiating favorable terms. She also plays an active role in managing risks and finding solutions to issues such as delivery delays. Her leadership extends to overseeing the entire Supply Chain Unit, conducting market research, and continuously seeking ways to improve supply chain operations. Through her strategic planning and focus on efficiency, Unwana ensures that her organization maintains a competitive edge.
Balancing Personal Well-being with Professional Success
While Unwana is committed to her professional responsibilities, she also recognizes the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Although she acknowledges that achieving perfect balance is a challenge, she actively seeks ways to prioritize her well-being. Whether it’s through reading, taking walks outdoors, or simply making time for herself, Unwana incorporates activities into her routine that help her recharge and stay focused.
In addition to regular team meetings, Unwana has implemented a mid-week session for knowledge sharing and brainstorming, which she refers to as “dilemma sessions.” These sessions allow her team to explore potential risks and challenges, fostering a collaborative environment where they can develop strategies to mitigate issues before they arise. By encouraging open communication and proactive problem-solving, Unwana ensures that her team is always prepared for the challenges ahead.
Redefining Success: The Journey of Continuous Growth
For Unwana, success is not about reaching a specific destination but about surpassing her own expectations and personal limits. Throughout her career, she has learned that the most rewarding accomplishments often arise from overcoming challenges, and that even small victories are worth celebrating. She refers to these as “mini-successes,” which provide valuable lessons along the way. Even when outcomes diverge from the original plan, Unwana finds satisfaction in the growth and knowledge gained during the journey.
Unwana encourages aspiring leaders to embrace challenges with a growth mindset. She believes that true leadership is defined by the willingness to learn from every experience, whether positive or negative. For Unwana, the pursuit of continuous self-improvement is what drives her to achieve excellence in all areas of her life.
