Kike Fajemirokun is shaping Lekoil’s growth through strategic HR leadership and ESG focus in Africa’s energy sector.
Kike Fajemirokun, the General Manager of Human Resources and Corporate Services at Lekoil Nigeria Limited, has played a vital role in the company’s internal growth and evolving corporate structure since joining the oil and gas firm more than ten years ago. Her career spans human resource development, legal education, and business strategy, providing her with a multifaceted perspective on managing people and performance in a challenging sector.
Fajemirokun was one of Lekoil’s first employees, joining the company soon after its listing on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM). In 2013, Lekoil aimed to become a prominent pan-African oil and gas exploration and production firm, with holdings in Nigeria and Namibia. Fajemirokun was responsible for establishing the human resources and corporate services departments, which were crucial for the company’s operational growth.
Fajemirokun has been instrumental in building the company’s global team, overseeing recruitment and onboarding. Her role encompasses talent acquisition, performance management, compensation frameworks, and corporate governance. Additionally, she is responsible for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters, an increasingly important area for energy companies facing environmental shifts and investor examination.
She earned an MBA from Lancaster University and a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP Law School. She also holds a BA in Sociology from Wake Forest University and a Human Resource Management certificate from Cornell University. This diverse educational background enables her to formulate policies that adhere to labour laws in various regions, including Nigeria, the UK, and the US.
Kike Fajemirokun champions empathetic leadership, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. In various discussions, she advocates for management strategies that prioritise employee well-being, believing they boost productivity and loyalty.
Beyond recruitment, her leadership is evident in the implementation of performance management systems, comprehensive compensation and benefits programs, and robust career development initiatives. These efforts have not only boosted productivity but also led to remarkably low attrition rates, consistently under 10% for nearly a decade, and an exceptional 0% turnover in 2024, despite typical industry challenges.
As conversations around ESG and energy diversification grow more prominent in Africa, Kike Fajemirokun’s work provides valuable insights into how internal systems and talent strategies are adapting within traditional oil and gas companies seeking to transition into a new era.
