Efforts to align Nigeria’s aviation support services with global operational standards received a boost at the weekend as CITA Energies Limited showcased its internationally recognised ISO certification at an event held at the NIGAV Centre, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The company secured three globally recognised management system certifications: ISO 14001:2015 for Environmental Management System, ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management System, and ISO 45001:2018 for Occupational Health and Safety Management System.
Stakeholders in the aviation and energy sectors, regulators, and business leaders gathered at the ceremony to celebrate the milestone, which industry observers say reinforces the drive for higher standards in Nigeria’s aviation support ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer of CITA Energies, Titilayo Olaore, described the certification as a testament to discipline, institutional accountability and a deliberate shift towards operational excellence.
According to her, the journey to the certification required months of rigorous audits, documentation, verification, and internal reforms across the organisation.
“When you discipline yourself, you set targets and go through milestones to achieve them. We had sleepless nights among auditors and ISO champions. There were follow-ups, assignments, cross-checking, and corrections, all while carrying out our daily responsibilities,” she said.
Olaore noted that beyond displaying certificates, organisations must internalise the standards and ensure that systems, accountability, and procedures are embedded into their operational culture.
“In many organisations, standards are written into manuals but not embedded into culture. The real question is whether you are accountable to the document on the wall and whether you follow the procedures required to uphold it,” she added.
She stressed that achieving the certification required the company to re-examine its internal processes, strengthen governance structures, and institutionalise consistency, transparency, and operational integrity.
“In an industry where credibility is everything, standards matter, integrity matters, and discipline matters. This certification signals to our regulators, partners, and stakeholders that our commitment to quality, safety, and environmental responsibility is institutional,” she said.
Olaore further emphasised that the certification marked the beginning of a continuous journey rather than a final destination.
“ISO is not the destination; it is a continuous commitment to improvement, accountability, and operational excellence. What we celebrate today is not just compliance with international standards but the strengthening of an institution that has been in existence for 20 years,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, the Managing Consultant of Finsbury Heinz Limited, Engr. Jamiu Badmos commended CITA Energies for its successful placement under the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), the global association of accreditation bodies that oversee conformity assessments for management systems, products and personnel.
Presenting the certifications, Engr. Badmos explained that the audit process involved a comprehensive evaluation of CITA Energies’ management systems to ensure full compliance with international standards.
According to him, the certifications were audited and issued by Blue Star Management Systems after rigorous assessments conducted in line with globally recognised procedures. He added that the approvals are verifiable through the website of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), the global body responsible for overseeing accreditation frameworks worldwide.
Badmos further noted that maintaining the certifications requires continuous compliance, periodic monitoring, and independent surveillance audits.
“The first surveillance audit will take place next year, followed by a second review before the organisation qualifies for recertification,” he said.
He explained that the certifications are valid for three years and must be renewed through the same stringent assessment process. This structured monitoring framework, he noted, ensures that organisations consistently uphold the required standards rather than treating certification as a one-off achievement.
In his goodwill message, Country Manager of ASKY Airlines, Mr. Olufisayo Alaba Awe attributed the company’s growth and reputation to strong customer relations, operational efficiency, and disciplined management.
Awe, whose airline has partnered with CITA Energies for several years, disclosed that the company currently supplies 50 per cent of ASKY Airlines’ fuel requirements in Nigeria.
“I have worked with Dr. Ogungbangbe, for about seven years since ASKY signed a contract with them. Initially, we gave them a quarter of our slots, later one-third, and today CITA supplies 50 per cent of our fuel in Nigeria. That is why we stick with them,” he said.
He commended the leadership of Dr. Thomas Olaleye Ogungbangbe, Chief Executive Director of CITA Energies and pioneer Chairman of the Aviation Fuel Marketers Association of Nigeria (AFMAN), noting that the company’s customer focus and disciplined workforce have strengthened its reputation in the aviation industry.
While appreciating stakeholders who supported the certification process, Director, Chairman’s Office at CITA Energies, Mr. Ajibola Olayinka described the company as a customer-centric organisation committed to aligning customer requirements with global quality standards and service excellence.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of awards and recognition to teams and individuals who played key roles in achieving the certification.
Recipients who also received N200,000 cash prizes included Mrs. Modupe Adegbenjo (Outstanding ISO Champion Award), Toluwvalase Oyedokun (Most Dedicated ISO Contributor Award), Titilayo Olaore (ISO Leadership and Support Award), and Tomiwa Oroge (ISO Implementation Coordination Award).
Top executives of CITA Energies present at the event included Finance Manager, Olude David; Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Manager, Orogo Oluwatomiwa; Director of Finance, Temitayo Olaniyi Moses; Director of Corporate Affairs, Modupe Adegbenjo; Director, Chairman’s Office, Ajibola Olayinka; IT Manager, Ajadi Olugbenga; and HR Manager, Owolabi Majekodunmi.
Industry stakeholders noted that the certification represents a significant step toward strengthening global best practices in Nigeria’s aviation fuel supply and support services sector.
