The late oil industry downstream icon, Thomas Obafemi Olawore, will be committed to mother earth on November 15th, 2025, in his home state, Osun.
Oil guru died on August 18th, 2025, after a brief illness. This is according to the burial arrangement announced by the family.
Olawore was the inaugural Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), an association he served for 17 years.
MEMAN, in paying him a glowing tribute, described him as a very passionate and committed industry stakeholder.
According to MEMAN, Mr Olawore’s journey with the association began in 2001, when he served as Chairman of the Marketers Operations Committee (MOC) while serving as Supply and Distribution Manager at Agip.
“In this role, he worked closely with industry leaders, including Mr Adewale Tinubu, in engaging the Federal Government on the issue of deregulation. These engagements laid the foundation for the association’s formation in 2003 and its incorporation in 2006, when it was then known as the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN).”
“During his 17-year tenure, Mr. Olawore played a pivotal role in shaping industry practice and policy. Notable achievements during his tenure include:
– Crisis management during fuel scarcity: coordinated member companies through recurring national fuel shortages; acted as the industry’s principal spokesperson in engagements with government agencies to restore product availability; and collaborated with the then-Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to streamline supply allocation and distribution during critical periods.
– Advocacy for sustainable fuel margins: led negotiations with the Federal Government to secure upward reviews of fuel margins, protecting members’ commercial viability amid rising costs, and championed pricing frameworks aligned with market realities to promote long-term sustainability and efficiency.
– Strengthening industry and government relations: built and sustained constructive relationships with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Department of Petroleum Resources (now NMDPRA), the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), and other key stakeholders, ensuring MOMAN/MEMAN’s perspectives were consistently represented in major policy deliberations.
– Institutional development: repositioned the association as a credible, unified advocacy voice for major energy marketers and fostered a culture of structured dialogue, transparency, and evidence-based advocacy.
– Thought leadership and policy influence: provided guidance on deregulation, subsidy reform, and market-driven petroleum policy, and represented the association at national and international industry forums, strengthening its standing as a trusted stakeholder.”
“At this difficult time, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Olawore’s family, friends, and colleagues.
