Samuel Chinedu Iheme is an experienced senior leader with over 23+ years of experience in driving business development, customer engagement, technology innovation, strategy development, and market expansion within the energy industry.

Samuel’s expertise is rooted in a proven track record of driving business development, revenue growth, and market expansion on a global scale. His strategic mindset and strong commercial acumen have consistently enabled him to develop and execute strategies that optimize revenue streams, lead high-performing teams, and achieve operational excellence in complex, matrixed environments.

His tenure at Baker Hughes was marked by pivotal roles where he spearheaded business growth and strategic market entry across Europe, Africa, and global markets. Samuel has a unique talent for aligning business development with evolving industry trends, driving innovation, sustainability, and strategic decision-making at the leadership level.

Most recently, as Global Early Engagement & Sales Director, he spearheaded strategic market expansion across Africa and Europe. With his background in oilfield services, He provided the operational leadership for the West Africa region, driving a ~$150M business with full P&L management and achieving remarkable cost-saving initiatives that resulted in a ~20% reduction, squarely targeting enhanced profitability. He has also led cross-functional digital transformation initiatives, ensuring that technology and market strategy are perfectly aligned with customer needs to maximize business impact.

Under his guidance, CNIAS is dedicated to developing local participation, creating lasting value through knowledge transfer, local content development, and strategic investment in community talent.

 Samuel holds a Master of Business Administration from Maastricht University and an engineering degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Port Harcourt. He has further honed his executive leadership skills through advanced education at Yale School of Management and is a distinguished graduate of the Baker Hughes Leadership Development Program.

He is an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). Beyond his professional pursuits, Samuel has held various leadership roles in initiatives focused on supporting underprivileged youth, empowering them to create positive change in their local communities—a testament to his deeply held belief in the power of opportunity.