Group Chief Executive Officer of Oando Plc, Dr. Jubril Adewale Tinubu (CON), has highlighted the critical role of learning from failure in nation-building, urging Nigerians to embrace patriotism and collective responsibility for national development.
Speaking in Lagos, Dr. Tinubu, fondly known as J.A.T., emphasized that failures should be seen as opportunities for growth, stressing that citizens must internalize lessons from past mistakes to ensure future success.
“We learn from our failures, and we get it right. We stop condemning the country and believing the country cannot go right. The country can go right when we, as a people, collectively move in one direction,” he said.
The business leader made the remarks shortly after being conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Business at the 56th Convocation of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), in recognition of his contributions to enterprise-building, energy sector transformation, and national development.
Dr. Tinubu highlighted the importance of risk-taking as a foundation for success, noting that fear of failure prevents many from achieving their potential.
“Think about nations that have gone to the moon or people who have climbed Mount Everest. It doesn’t matter how many times they tried; what matters is perseverance and learning from every attempt,” he said.
As the founder of Oando Clean Energy Limited, established in 2021 to deliver sustainable energy projects aligned with Nigeria’s energy needs and the UN’s net-zero agenda, Dr. Tinubu also underscored the importance of public-private collaboration, particularly in social services, health, and education. He urged alumni to reinvest in their institutions, fostering continuous societal and institutional development.
Reflecting on UNILAG’s legacy, Dr. Tinubu described the university as a hub for innovation, STEM research, entrepreneurship, and creative industries. He highlighted the institution’s role in producing nation-builders who contribute to public service, law, science, enterprise, medicine, arts, and diplomacy.
“The reforms underway in Nigeria seek to stabilise the economy, restore confidence, unlock productivity, and improve security, health, and social welfare. But reforms succeed when ideas shape action and knowledge guides leadership. Citadels of learning like UNILAG are not mere spectators; they are drivers of national progress,” he said.
Dr. Tinubu’s personal journey from a young lawyer in Lagos to leading a global energy conglomerate underscores his message of courage, conviction, and persistence.
He recounted the early challenges of founding Oando, evolving it from an oil trading and shipping company into sub-Saharan Africa’s foremost integrated energy group with a cross-border listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Beyond business, Dr. Tinubu is a renowned philanthropist and humanitarian. Through the Oando Foundation, he has transformed education and social welfare across Nigeria, adopting 88 public primary schools, supporting over 500,000 students, training over 5,000 teachers, and establishing 39 digital learning centres. He also led private sector interventions addressing humanitarian crises in northeastern Nigeria.
Globally, Dr. Tinubu serves as a member of the World Economic Forum’s oil and gas governors, participates in high-level climate and sustainable development discussions, co-chairs the US-Nigeria commercial investment dialogue, and advises the Nigerian government on public policy, infrastructure, and economic transformation.
In October 2022, Dr. Tinubu was conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), cementing his status as a transformative leader committed to national development and African industrial progress.