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With a foundation in engineering and a passion for purposeful leadership, Olugbenga Ibikunle, ‘23 MBA, has spent nearly two decades transforming technical challenges into strategic, sustainable solutions. His journey — from Nigeria to the UK to Canada — reflects a commitment to continuous learning and meaningful impact. As the co-founder and managing principal of , he blends deep technical expertise with business insight to build resilient communities and drive lasting change.

 

When Olugbenga began his academic journey in engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, he was already captivated by a singular question: How do systems work, and how can we make them better? That early curiosity would shape a career defined by both technical excellence and a hunger for impact.

I’ve always been drawn to how things function — not just technically, but operationally,” he said. That drive led him to the University of Leeds for an MSc in environmental engineering and project management, and then to Heriot-Watt University in the UK, where he completed a PhD in civil engineering.

But in Canada, even as his technical expertise grew through work across North America and beyond, he began to notice a critical gap

“Many technically sound projects were falling short, not because they lacked engineering merit, but because they weren’t aligned with broader business goals,” said Ibikunle. “That’s when I realized that technical knowledge alone wasn’t enough. I needed to understand business strategy.”

That realization ultimately influenced his decision to pursue further education, leading him to the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ School of Business, where he began an MBA in the fall of 2021. “I chose ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ because of its practical, industry-relevant learning environment and strong focus on leadership. I needed a place that would push me beyond the technical space.” 

He completed the MBA in fall 2023, specializing in strategy and consulting. “It was truly a transformative experience. The program equipped me to make decisions from a holistic business standpoint — not just from an engineer’s lens.”

That blend of experience and insight laid the foundation for Avodahtec, an Edmonton-based engineering and management consulting firm he founded to bridge that very gap.

“Avodahtec was born out of a deep desire to connect technical excellence with sustainable, business-focused solutions,” he said. “We’re not just delivering projects — we’re crafting strategic outcomes.”

With more than 18 years of experience, his firm offers services across six pillars: engineering, asset and infrastructure management, project and construction management, research and development, health, safety and environment and training and instructional design.

“At our core, we’re guided by six values: cooperation, innovation, agility, excellence, integrity and equity. These aren’t just words; they shape how we lead, work and engage clients.”

Ibikunle’s ten-year vision for Avodahtec is clear: “I want us to grow into a dynamic, employee-owned firm that’s recognized globally for delivering smart, efficient and sustainable solutions.”

The roadmap includes investing in talent, building strategic partnerships, refining processes and staying committed to continuous learning.

Tackling infrastructure globally, thinking locally

With projects across Canada and internationally, he’s keenly aware that infrastructure challenges vary widely. For example, Ibikunle said that resilience and sustainability dominate the agenda in Canada, while globally — especially in developing economies — they often face regulatory hurdles, funding limitations and cultural dynamics that require careful navigation.

What stays constant, however, is the need to tailor solutions to local realities while leveraging global best practices. “Adaptability is key. The best solutions are rooted in community needs.”

Tech as a foundation, not a trend

Avodahtec is young, but forward-thinking, leveraging AI and data analytics from the ground up. From using AI to streamline design processes to deploying analytics for predictive maintenance and performance modeling, technology is helping the firm deliver smarter, faster and more sustainable results.

“It’s one of the ways we differentiate ourselves as we grow.”

Sustainability and purpose in every project

For Ibikunle, sustainable development isn’t a checkbox, it’s a mission.

“We serve communities by delivering infrastructure that’s not only efficient and technically sound, but also socially responsible.”

Recent projects illustrate that mission in action. One such project is the Columbia Forcemain CIPP Rehabilitation in Vancouver’s Olympic Village, where Avodahtec partnered with Michels Canada to repair old infrastructure and provide long-term protection to the communities and environment. Another is the Health Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (HRVA) project in Yukon, sponsored by Health Canada and the Government of Yukon. In this project, the company’s research and development team is leading efforts to assess climate change’s health impacts and build resilient, low-carbon health systems, contributing to solutions at policy and community levels.

A philosophy of faith and fearlessness

What keeps him motivated after nearly two decades?"I see my work as a calling — a way to serve humanity and honor God. Whether mentoring, designing, or leading, I find purpose in it all. My faith has shaped everything, from how I lead to how I make decisions, always striving to act with integrity, humility, and purpose.”

He leaves readers with a simple message: “Success isn’t about having no fear, it’s about facing it head-on. Trust your preparation. Learn from setbacks. Break goals into steps. And remember, fear can be a catalyst, not a stop sign.”