Keynote Speech by Olugbenga Ibikunle
Olugbenga Ibikunle, a technical expert and consultant, shares his transformative journey in the field of asset management. He describes how he initially struggled with the disconnect between the technical and business perspectives of his clients. As a highly qualified engineer, he realized that his clients were hiring him to address business problems, not just engineering challenges. Ibikunle’s breakthrough came when he identified asset management as the bridge connecting these two worlds. He delved into understanding the principles of asset management, including the ISO 55000 standards, which define it as balancing cost, opportunities, and risk to meet organizational goals. This realization led Ibikunle to pursue an MBA, equipping him with the business vocabulary and mindset to effectively communicate with his clients. Ibikunle emphasizes the importance of a business-centric approach in consulting, where he integrates asset management concepts into his proposals and deliverables. By demonstrating the impact of asset management practices on the triple bottom line (profit, people, and planet), he has been able to gain the support and trust of senior management teams and clients. Ibikunle also highlights the significance of staying informed about global trends in asset management, such as climate change, sustainability, technological advancements, and regulatory changes. He provides historical examples of asset management failures, underscoring that these were not purely technical problems but rather the result of poor asset management practices. Ibikunle encourages the audience to shift their mindset and communication strategies to position asset management professionals as essential workers who contribute to the success of businesses and communities. He emphasizes the need to create a future where asset management is recognized as a critical component of sustainable development and business growth.
Bio
Olugbenga Ibikunle Ph.D., P.Eng., CRL, MBA
Co-Founder | Managing Principal | Author/Speaker | Teacher
| Motivational Speaker | Mentor, Avodahtec
Dr. Ibikunle is a dynamic and inspiring speaker known for his motivational approach and impactful storytelling. With a passion for driving change in water infrastructure practices, he brings not only technical expertise but also stories of resilience, innovation,
and transformation from over 17 years in the field. His journey through academia and industry has led to his significant contributions to water and wastewater conveyance engineering, pipeline trenchless rehabilitation and construction practices,
and the development and application of new condition assessment methodologies for buried linear assets, including pressurized and gravity-fed pipes.
As a cross-border Certified Asset Management (AM) Professional and Certified Reliability Leader, Dr. Ibikunle’s expertise covers a broad spectrum of asset and infrastructure management practices. He brings practical knowledge in AM Planning, AM Strategy, Risk Management, and Asset Life Cycle Management. His accomplishments are underscored by his active participation in professional organizations, including his roles with the North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT), the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Asset Management Committee, and the Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute (UESI) of ASCE
Dr. Ibikunle’s commitment has been recognized through numerous awards, such as the IAM 2020 NxtGen Global Award, the 2021 CNAM TEREO National Asset Management Ambassador Award, and the 2020 Stantec Water Sector Project Award. His forward-looking vision is dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of asset managers. Recently, he founded Avodahtec, an employee-owned engineering and management consulting firm focused on delivering value-driven solutions in engineering and infrastructure management.