Chris was born in the North of England to parents originally from the West Coast of Cape Limboh, Mokundange, and Limbola in the South West Region of Cameroon. At the age of four, he was sent back to Cameroon, where he spent his formative years before returning to the UK at the age of twelve. He completed his secondary and high school education in the UK.
Chris earned a Master of Engineering in Logistics from Heriot-Watt University in the UK, following an internship as a Sales & Marketing Deputy Manager in Paris, France. In addition to his academic credentials, he holds numerous professional diplomas in the oil and gas sector.
His professional career began in Paris, where he worked as a Deputy Safety Manager in the oil and gas industry. He was later transferred to London, UK, where he continued in the same capacity.
In 1999, Chris transitioned into the telecommunications sector, joining a South African Mobile Telecommunications Company in Pretoria, South Africa, as a Project Manager. He successfully managed operations across three countries—Ghana, Cameroon, Namibia and Nigeria—for thirteen years and later resigned.
Following this tenure, Chris acquired shares in the NickCery Group, which was then the largest American onshore and offshore safety training company, with a global presence. He made history by becoming the first British citizen appointed as Regional Director for Central and West Africa, overseeing regional offices in Douala (Cameroon), Lagos (Nigeria), and Luanda (Angola).
Our experience in preparing learners for emergency situations in the onshore and offshore oil and gas sector is nothing short of exceptional. We are committed to transforming safety into a culture—making working safely not just a requirement, but also a genuine pleasure for all employees.
Through our comprehensive training programs, we empower professionals across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, the USA, and Oceania with the knowledge and skills needed to respond confidently and effectively to emergencies. Our global reach and unwavering dedication to safety excellence make us a trusted leader in the industry.
My passion for Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) stems from powerful childhood experiences. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of workplace accidents—people who were not born with disabilities became lame; others who could once see and hear lost their senses due to incidents on the job. These were individuals who suffered while trying to serve their communities and support their families, only to lose both their livelihoods and their dignity.
These early encounters planted the seed of a vision in me: a vision to eliminate work-related accidents in the local communities I grew up in. Over time, that vision matured and grew stronger, guiding the course of my life and career.
Today, my vision is clear and unwavering—to make Africa as safe as Europe, the United States and the Oceanic. I dream of a continent where every worker can go to work, perform their duties with confidence, and return home safely to their loved ones. A continent where safety is a shared culture, and life is celebrated, not risked, in the pursuit of a livelihood.
Contrary to the popular belief that workplace safety is practiced merely out of fear of legal or regulatory consequences—or simply for profit—I see it differently. For me, the true purpose of safety goes far beyond compliance or financial gain.
My driving force is the desire to see people safe in their workplaces. Every employee, regardless of their role, deserves to work in a safe, protected environment. Health and safety are not just requirements—they are the foundation of well-being for both workers and employers. When safety becomes a way of life, it fosters confidence, productivity, and peace of mind.
This is my passion. This is my mission. It’s a simple moral stance: no one should get hurt while working or doing business for NOIAA—or for any company in Africa. That belief continues to fuel my commitment and dedication to transforming workplace safety across the continent.
As a safety professional and the head of NOIAA—a company with deep roots in the USA—one of the greatest challenges I face daily is building and nurturing the right environment to grow a strong, professional, and dynamic team.
I firmly believe that without a highly skilled and motivated team, it would be impossible to elevate industrial health, safety, and environmental standards in Africa to the same level as those practiced in Europe and the United States. However, my goal isn’t merely to replicate those systems. I strive to conceive, develop, and implement policies, regulations, and standards that are uniquely adapted to Africa—standards that resonate across the continent and effectively address the region’s specific challenges.
These frameworks must not only meet international benchmarks but also deliver tangible results: reducing workplace injuries, illnesses, unsafe practices, and hazardous exposures. Creating and sustaining this vision amidst diverse working conditions and cultures across Africa is a challenge I embrace daily—with unwavering commitment and passion.
Yes and no.
Yes, because I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished with NOIAA Ltd. We are the first and only onshore/offshore Maritime Safety Training Institute in Africa to achieve OPITO Accreditation, IMO STCW Approval, and WAHA Approval. These are not small milestones—they reflect years of hard work, dedication, and significant investment. We’ve poured billions of Franc CFA into building world-class training infrastructure here in Africa, and we continue to invest in maintaining and upgrading our equipment to the highest standards.
But no, because despite these achievements, I have not yet reached my ultimate goals. There are still significant bottlenecks—particularly the lack of support from some African governments. Many oil and gas regulators are not doing enough to enforce local workforce development. I strongly believe it should be the duty of every state’s oil and gas regulatory body to mandate that foreign operators train and empower local employees. Without this, the continent cannot fully benefit from the vast potential of its own natural resources.
Until this changes, I cannot say I’m truly satisfied—but I remain committed to pushing forward.
I am deeply encouraged by the pace of advancement in occupational health and safety across Africa. While there is still much to be done, it is important to recognize and appreciate the progress that has been made.
When I first began working on the continent, one of my earliest achievements was assembling a dedicated team of professionals. Together, we championed the cause of industrial safety through targeted training and widespread communication. We successfully cultivated a culture of safety among workers on both onshore and offshore oil and gas installations, significantly reducing workplace accidents.
Our ability to overcome the numerous challenges we faced stemmed from one core principle: investing in our people. We committed heavily to training and motivating our personnel, building their morale and professional capabilities. This investment enabled us to develop an extensive portfolio of training courses, grow a robust database of clients, and earn numerous international awards in the areas of quality, health, safety, and environmental excellence.
Combined with our ongoing investment projects across the continent, these accomplishments affirm our belief that we will continue to overcome challenges and set ambitious new goals for the future.
Ha ha ha ha! My most exciting moment? Well, success truly keeps me going! Every time I reach a milestone, it fuels my drive for the next. That joy—pure, energizing joy—is what pushes me forward.
I’ve experienced many such moments throughout my career—with previous employers and now at NOIAA—and they continue to inspire me. My journey to becoming President and Chief Executive Officer has been shaped by a series of these success-driven experiences.
One standout moment came in 2010, when I was responsible for generating over 69% of the company’s total earnings. Management recognized my contribution, and I was overwhelmed with pride and excitement. Then, in 2011, I exceeded even that achievement, producing more than 78% of total revenue and surpassing previous profit projections by 4.1%.
These are the moments I live for—defining milestones that fuel ambition and make the entire journey truly worthwhile.
I have a strong aversion to laziness, deceptive behavior, disorganization, and a disregard for personal or collective safety. These traits not only hinder individual progress but also compromise team effectiveness and workplace integrity.
I firmly believe that life is shaped by our actions, and success or failure often depends on our willingness to confront and overcome the flaws that hold us back. I struggle to respect a person who chooses to remain idle, refuses to take steps to improve their organization, or continues to act deceitfully without remorse.
In my view, growth begins with self-awareness and the courage to change. I value individuals who strive to be better—not just for themselves, but for the people around them.
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