Business Ventures Limited (Buvel), one of Nigeria’s leading private petroleum marketers, marked 50 years of unwavering commitment to integrity, service excellence, and customer satisfaction on Thursday.
Founded in 1975 in Uromi by Prince Clement Kennedy Okoeguale, Buvel has grown steadily and now operates over 11 filling stations across Edo State, standing as a beacon of trust in the Nigerian petroleum industry.
The golden jubilee celebrations were held simultaneously across all Buvel outlets and at the Founder’s residence in Benin City, drawing government officials, loyal customers, staff, community leaders, and well-wishers.
The festivities included raffle draws at various filling stations, where customers were rewarded with gifts such as umbrellas, notebooks, sip cups, and pens. The atmosphere was vibrant with music, refreshments, and heartfelt goodwill messages.
At the Murtala Mohammed Way head office in Benin City, Prince Okoeguale reflected on the company’s journey, acknowledging the challenges faced. “It has not been easy. We endured court battles, fire outbreaks, and theft, but we stood firm,” he said. “Our watchword has always been integrity.”
He also credited his resilience to the support of his wife, saying, “The energy I had was because my wife was very cooperative.”
Addressing social challenges, Prince Okoeguale emphasized the importance of honesty: “We didn’t build Buvel on cheating; we built it on trust,” urging young Nigerians to embrace honest work, whether in farming or small businesses.
Prof. Kevin Okoeguale, Director of Business Ventures Limited and eldest son of the founder, described the 50-year milestone as a defining moment. He recounted Buvel’s evolution from the fuel scarcity era of the 1980s to the deregulated and competitive landscape of the 2000s. He reaffirmed Buvel’s dedication to quality fuel, transparent metering, and fair pricing.
At the Ikpoba Hill filling station, Station Manager Mr. Rocky Ogedegbe highlighted integrity as Buvel’s core strength: “Our meters are transparent, and our fuel is never adulterated,” he assured.
Across other stations—including Aruogba, Benin-Lagos Road Tollgate, Oluku, Ekehuan Road, Ovbiogie, Sapele Road Agip/Obe, 2nd East Circular Road, and Irhirhi—customers praised Buvel’s consistent, cost-effective, and competitive services.
At Aruogba, Station Manager Mr. Tobi Bowoto commended Buvel’s strong relationship with both customers and staff: “Managing people is not always easy, but Buvel has been a great place to work.”
Mrs. Helen Olorunda, Station Manager at the recently opened Ekehuan Road outlet, rated Buvel’s customer service nine out of ten, noting, “When you lose one customer, you lose ten. So we prioritize customer satisfaction.”
A tricycle rider, Mr. Chukwuebuka Ihedioha, vouched for Buvel’s fuel quality: “Their pump is reliable, their fuel is not watered down.” Another loyal customer, Mr. Ruben Aigwobasimwin, affirmed, “One litre is truly one litre at Buvel.”
At Oluku filling station, Mr. Destiny Omorogbe shared why he remains a loyal customer: “Their meters don’t cheat.” He proudly displayed an umbrella he won during the raffle. Mrs. Agho Ogale Blessing, another raffle winner, appreciated the thoughtful customer gifts as a welcome gesture.
In Uromi, staff and customers at the Old and New Agbor Road stations celebrated with the distribution of branded merchandise.
Manager of the Sapele Road (Agip) station, Mr. Mohammed Mustapha, expressed optimism about Buvel’s future growth: “We’re proud of our journey so far. This milestone means a lot, and we look forward to an even better and greater future.”
