At 40, Ladi Soyombo has already done what many only dream of. He has built a company that not only survives in Nigeria’s volatile oil and gas industry but thrives in it. As a founder and CEO of SNL Technology Services, Soyombo represents global fluid systems giant Swagelok in Nigeria, and facilitates digital operation intelligence to the upstream sector through partnership with IFS. The company has continued its giant strides with offices in Lagos and Port Harcourt. Beyond the boardrooms and technical jargon is a man reflecting on his journey — from working as a Lead Petroleum Engineer at Afren to a leader shaping Nigeria’s energy story. As he marks his 40th birthday , he speaks candidly about risk, resilience, ambition, and the clarity that comes with a new decade.
Do you still remember the exact moment you decided to leave Afren and start SNL Technology, and how terrifying or thrilling was it*?
I would say it was thrilling, because as at then, we envisaged the participation of indigenous businesses within Nigeria’s oil & gas industry and that was the basis for the birth of our business. The future we foresaw which has become the reality today, was the spark and driving force I needed to be able to persist in the face of all challenges that SNL Technology has had to overcome over the years.
Looking back now, what was the hardest part of convincing people to trust a brand-new company in such a tough industry?
It was tough initially because I was young, and that can be an initial barrier in a business terrain like oil & gas, but once it got to the substance of what SNL Technology was offering, clients could easily see our value and trust us enough to start doing business with us.
Becoming Swagelok’s authorised centre in Nigeria was a coup. How did that happen ; charm, strategy, or sheer persistence?
It was a combination of charm, strategy and sheer persistence because it takes confidence, vision and bold action to bring a brand like Swagelok into the country and to sustain the relationship through these many years.
What’s the most exciting innovation SNL Technology has brought into the Nigerian oil and gas space so far?
From the onset, our vision has always been to optimize production and operations within the oil and gas industry by delivering world-class hardware & software solutions. One of such innovative solutions we are delivering within the industry today, are a range of enterprise asset management software that helps companies in real-time monitoring of assets and enables prompt and precise decision-making.
If SNL Technology were a person, what kind of personality would it have after 12 years under your watch?
It will definitely be a forward-thinking, innovative, agile and future-ready personality. A company that is always on the cutting edge of providing solutions to the challenges of upstream oil & gas businesses in Nigeria.
Running a company is never just about business. What’s the toughest lesson you’ve had to learn about people?
It would be that the best of people are still people at the end of the day. Which means that everyone is subject to the limitations and tendencies of human nature, and so as a business leader, it is important to not have unrealistic expectations about human beings. This helps to cushion the impact of difficult experiences which will always happen in life throughout the course of dealing with people.
You’re turning 40, does it feel like a big milestone or just another number ?
It is definitely a big milestone for me because I have tried to live intentionally as best as possible and I have goals & aspirations for my next decade just like I did in my last decade. So for me, 40 is a big milestone that means a number of important things to me, and that includes achieving the next set of big goals for SNL Technology.
People say the 40s bring clarity. What’s become clearer to you about life?
That would be the fact that life’s journey is not linear and it is highly unrealistic for an adult to expect that life will be a bed of roses. There will be highs & lows and curved balls which one never imagined. However, in everything, faith in God, patience and determination are the anchors that will keep one steady when rocky times come.
At this stage, what matters more to you — chasing growth or protecting balance?
Both actually, because it is important to chase growth in life and also important to maintain a balance to ensure that one’s life is running optimally and no aspect is suffering on account of goals & aspirations that are being chased.
If you weren’t in oil and gas, what completely different career could you see yourself in ?
That’s an interesting question actually. I think for me it would be science & research because I am always fascinated by advanced countries and how the human mind has been able to conceive inventions that have transformed nations and turned some into superpowers.
And what do you want people to say about you at 40, beyond the CEO title?
For me it would be that I want to be known in summary as someone who is touching lives for good. Because after all is said and done, we will only be remembered by the lives we have touched for good.
Finally, when you blow out the candles on your 40th birthday cake, what will you be wishing for ?
I am simply wishing for my life to continue being one that inspires others and keeps touching other lives for good.
