CITA Energies Limited has marked 20 years of operation in Nigeria's energy sector, transforming from a modest arbitrage and fuel-reselling business into a major indigenous aviation fuelling company. The company now operates across 17 locations, with substantial storage capacity and a fleet of aircraft refuellers and bulk road vehicles. Its growth is attributed to its founder and Chairman, Dr Thomas Ogungbangbe, who has steered the company through strategic decisions and investments in infrastructure.
Dr Ogungbangbe reflected on CITA's evolution in his keynote address, titled "CITA @ 20: From Faith to Vision, From Vision to Impact". He emphasized that the company was founded on a set of principles that have influenced its development, including reliability, quality, safety, and trust. CITA's transition into aviation fuelling brought a new level of responsibility, with the company prioritizing precision and timing in its operations. This culture has become a hallmark of CITA's operational standards.
A significant milestone in CITA's growth was the commissioning of an aviation fuel storage and handling facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, in 2015. The facility represented CITA's confidence in the ability of a Nigerian company to commit significant resources to aviation infrastructure development. Dr Ogungbangbe noted that this milestone was crucial in demonstrating the capabilities of an indigenous Nigerian company in the aviation industry.
CITA has continued to expand its footprint, infrastructure, and operational capabilities. The company now has access to over 200 million litres of storage capacity, a fleet of 45 aircraft refuellers, and more than 200 bulk road vehicles. Its infrastructure and logistics capabilities enable it to support significant Jet A-1 requirements, while its aviation operations have extended beyond Nigeria. CITA's vision is to become the pre-eminent energy solution company in Africa.
Dr Ogungbangbe attributed CITA's growth to the collective efforts of its employees, including engineers, drivers, operations personnel, and finance professionals. He emphasized that growth is not just about having more assets or operating in more locations, but also about having greater capability, responsibility, and capacity to serve. The company's contribution to the aviation fuel industry has extended beyond its commercial operations, including the formation of the Aviation Fuel Marketers Association of Nigeria (AFMAN).
CITA has also been involved in private-sector intervention in infrastructure development, including the construction of a three-layer macadamised road inside the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. Dr Ogungbangbe stressed the importance of collaboration between industry stakeholders to address challenges that exceed the capacity of individual organizations. The company's growth has taken place in a difficult operating environment, marked by foreign exchange pressures, supply disruptions, and regulatory changes.
Despite the challenges, Dr Ogungbangbe expressed confidence in CITA's resilience and ability to adapt and move forward. He has built extensive professional and academic credentials, including IATA certification as a Jet Fuel Airfield Inspector and training at Harvard Business School and the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School. Dr Ogungbangbe's leadership of CITA has attracted industry and corporate recognition, including the Business Leader of the Year 2025 award from Independent Newspapers Ltd.
Key points
- CITA Energies Limited has evolved from a modest aviation fuel trader to a major indigenous energy powerhouse with 17 locations and significant infrastructure.
- The company's growth is attributed to its founder and Chairman, Dr Thomas Ogungbangbe, who has steered the company through strategic decisions and investments in infrastructure.
- CITA's vision is to become the pre-eminent energy solution company in Africa, with a focus on reliability, quality, safety, and customer service.
