Nigerian CEO Emeka Iheme works to strengthen the country’s natural gas sector and expand global energy partnerships

Rochester, New York – Nigeria’s energy sector is undergoing rapid change as the country works to meet rising demand for power and fuel. At the center of some of those efforts is Emeka Iheme, an entrepreneur who has built a career focused on expanding natural gas production and connecting Nigeria’s energy resources to global markets.

As the founder and chief executive officer of Gasavant Africa, Iheme is helping shape how natural gas is produced, stored, and distributed in Nigeria. His work places him in regular discussions with petroleum industry executives as well as government leaders who are seeking ways to strengthen the country’s energy infrastructure.

For Iheme, the path into the oil and gas industry was not accidental. Growing up in Nigeria, he quickly recognized how deeply energy production was woven into the country’s economy and daily life.

“Oil and gas are the dominant sectors in my country. And it is all over; it is almost inescapable. I had my mind set on this,” said Iheme ’13 (chemical engineering), ’13 MS (public policy).

That determination eventually led him to the United States, where he enrolled at Rochester Institute of Technology in 2008. At the time, the university’s chemical engineering program was still relatively new, and Iheme became one of its early students.

During his time at RIT, he immersed himself in learning how the energy industry functions from both a technical and economic perspective. His studies ranged from engineering and manufacturing processes to broader questions about how energy resources are managed and distributed.

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One of the most influential experiences during his studies came through a cooperative education placement with engineers at Dresser Rand, a company known for manufacturing equipment used in natural gas extraction. The opportunity allowed Iheme to observe the practical side of energy production and gain firsthand knowledge of the systems involved in bringing natural gas from underground reserves to global markets.

Those experiences shaped his understanding of the industry’s supply chain and helped him build the technical foundation that would later support his career.

After completing his studies, Iheme returned to Nigeria determined to apply both his engineering background and his public policy training. He soon began working as a consultant with a smaller gas subsidiary of Shell Corporation.

At that time, Nigeria’s energy sector was undergoing significant changes. International companies were beginning to sell some of their upstream assets to Nigerian-owned firms, creating opportunities for new companies to enter the market.

Iheme found himself advising emerging firms on how to secure resources and navigate the complex process of launching energy operations.

“With each job that I took, it kept bringing me closer and closer to the companies that produce and explore the resources from the ground, like Shell and Chevron,” said Iheme. “I was basically in the room where those businesses were starting and that is when my entrepreneurial hunger exploded.”

Nigeria’s energy potential is enormous. The country, a longtime member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, produces roughly 1.43 million barrels of oil each day. At the same time, vast reserves of natural gas remain largely untapped.

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Estimates suggest Nigeria holds around 206.53 trillion cubic feet of natural gas resources that have yet to be fully developed. As the sixth largest exporter of petroleum globally, expanding production and increasing exports remain major priorities for the government.

Recognizing these opportunities, Iheme launched Gasavant Africa in 2021. The company focuses on building infrastructure for natural gas storage and supporting the sale and distribution of natural gas and related equipment.

Beyond infrastructure, Gasavant also advocates for stronger collaboration between private companies and government regulators. Iheme believes that effective policy frameworks are essential if Nigeria is to fully develop its natural gas potential.

Working with policymakers, industry leaders, and investors, the company aims to help modernize the sector while positioning Nigeria as a stronger player in the global energy market.

But Iheme’s ambitions extend beyond business development alone. He is also focused on building partnerships that encourage innovation and problem-solving within the energy industry.

That commitment was evident when he returned to RIT in 2025, where he was honored as one of the distinguished alumni of the Kate Gleason College of Engineering. During his visit, Iheme shared ideas for potential research and design projects with graduate students, highlighting the types of challenges the energy sector still faces.

“I gave them 10 possible project problems that are nagging the industry today that, if solved, would each be a billion-dollar opportunity. We have to solve today’s problems for a better tomorrow.”

Through initiatives like these, Iheme hopes to encourage the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs to tackle the technical and economic challenges facing the global energy industry.

As Nigeria continues to grow and modernize, leaders like Iheme are working to ensure the country’s natural resources can support both national development and international energy demand.

For him, the mission is clear: build stronger systems today that will power the future tomorrow.