Why did you become an environment/sustainability professional?
My passion for environmental and sustainability practice began during my undergraduate studies in chemical engineering, where my final-year project explored the biodegradation of cassava waste peelings. This research highlighted the potential of converting agricultural waste into valuable resources, inspiring my interest in circular economy principles and sustainable resource management.
My career started in the health, safety, and environment organisation with a focus on waste management. In this role, I led initiatives such as developing a waste information management system to track waste from cradle to grave, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
These experiences laid the foundation for my commitment to environmental stewardship, proactive risk mitigation, and embedding circular economy concepts into operational practices.
What is your current role and what does it involve?
I am a Senior Environmental Specialist, responsible for driving environmental management initiatives that enable sustainable operations and asset retirement. My role encompasses environmental risk management, execution of environmental studies, compliance monitoring, site residual impact risk assessment, waste management, and ESG reporting.
What’s the best part and the most challenging part of your work?
The best part is collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver impactful solutions that protect the environment and support operational excellence. The most challenging aspect is navigating and collaborating with multiple regulatory agencies, each with complex and sometimes overlapping requirements. It demands a deep understanding of diverse regulations, strong communication skills, and the ability to align compliance obligations with operational realities.
What is/are the most important skill(s) for your role?
In my role, I apply environmental risk management and impact assessment to ensure projects meet regulatory standards, minimise ecological impact and operational resilience. I use ESG reporting and data analysis to track performance and provide actionable insights, while advocating for compliance through regulatory engagement.
Sadat Itohan Ihwughwavwe
Senior Environmental Specialist, Chevron Nigeria Limited
Where would you like to be in five years’ time?
In five years, I aspire to be a recognised leader in sustainability, influencing policy and driving innovation in environmental risk management at a global level.
What advice would you give to someone entering the profession?
Stay passionate, build depth and commit to continuous learning (both formal and informal).
Describe yourself in three words:
Innovative. Resilient. Passionate
What motivates you?
I am motivated by the opportunity to create a measurable impact on environmental sustainability. Knowing that the decisions we make today will shape the resilience and well-being of both current and future generations drives my commitment to this work.
What's the greatest risk you have ever taken?
There have been several, but one that stands out was advocating for a significant shift in operational practices to reduce reliance on single-use materials. This required challenging established norms, influencing multiple stakeholders, and balancing cost considerations with long-term sustainability objectives. Ultimately, the initiative delivered measurable improvements in environmental performance and set a strong precedent for future sustainability efforts.
If you could go back in history, who would you like to meet?
Chief S.L. Edu, for his pioneering work in environmental conservation and policy in Nigeria.
