Dare Olowo

Senior Risk & Compliance Engineer | Internal Audit Specialist | Energy Utility Professional. Dare meets business and customers' needs and boosts revenue by completing projects on schedule and within budget. Ensures risk mitigation and quality enhancement in alignment with safety, security, and global standards.

As an IIA member, he bridges the gap between audit, governance, and engineering with expertise and experience in risk management, internal control, quality control, and auditing, as well as the design, operation, and maintenance of electrical utilities and energy systems across commercial, industrial, and residential environments. He achieved standards, quality, safety, and reduced losses by using his skills with integrity in both collaborative and individual settings. He is never satisfied with his own performance, so he is always searching for ways to increase his skill set.

Senior Electrical Engineer – Risk, Audit & Compliance at BEDC Electricity Plc. (2023-04 – Present)

• Ensured compliance with engineering design and operational standards by enforcing transformer loading limits (≤80%), improving asset integrity and preventing overload-related failures across distribution assets.
• Evaluated and identified operational risks arising from weak DSS and LV fault documentation across multiple Business Units, formally recorded findings in the Technical Risk Register and recommended mitigation actions to support timely escalation, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Assessed engineering and metering system control weaknesses, identifying breaches that enabled detection of illegal energy consumption and recovery of revenue losses in line with loss prevention objectives.
• Conducted condition-based risk assessment on 2 × 7.5MVA transformers, identifying oil defects during maintenance activities and recommending corrective actions that prevented equipment failure and saved approximately ₦18M in potential asset loss.
• Provided independent assurance on the effectiveness of engineering controls, safety systems, and operational processes through structured audits, inspections, and compliance reviews.
• Performed structured risk identification and assessment across transformer and feeder assets using condition monitoring and data analytics techniques, applying risk-based inspection principles to prioritize mitigation actions and improve protection coordination, thereby reducing forced outages and improving asset reliability.
• Detected material discrepancies during asset verification exercises (including cable shortages), strengthening inventory control systems and reducing financial exposure.
• Ensured compliance with regulatory and industry frameworks including NERC and NESIS, supporting adherence to technical standards, safety criteria, and operational governance requirements.
• Improved network operational performance by achieving less than 10% current imbalance across 496 transformers, reducing technical losses and enhancing system efficiency and reliability.
• Identified design and construction defects in 11kV feeder systems (including clearance and conductor sizing issues), mitigating safety risks and enabling recovery of approximately ₦84M in project value.
• Recommended and validated engineering control measures, including switchyard gravel layering in accordance with IEEE standards, to mitigate step and touch potential hazards and enhance personnel and public safety.
• Led audit follow-up activities and ensured 100% closure and implementation of corrective actions, strengthening internal controls, governance systems, and compliance assurance.
• Reviewed and validated engineering designs, procurement outputs, and construction works to ensure conformity with project specifications, company standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, contractors, and internal stakeholders to implement risk mitigation strategies, improve system reliability, and ensure alignment with project objectives and operational standards.
• Prepared and presented technical risk reports and engineering assessments to senior management, ensuring timely communication of discipline engineering risks, progress, and mitigation actions.
• Conducted technical evaluations of 33/11kV substations, including assessment of operational safety conditions and improvement of lighting systems to enhance visibility and reduce operational hazards.
• Performed enterprise-level risk assessments covering both technical and financial operations, integrating engineering risk considerations into broader organizational risk management frameworks.

Revenue Assurance & Risk Control /Safety Champion at Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company Plc. (2016-03 – 2023-04)

Resignation submitted on 20/03/2023, with approved leave of absence and official employment exit date of 21/04/2023.

• Led loss prevention, energy theft detection, and revenue assurance programs across distribution networks.
• Identified and mitigated metering bypass, illegal connections, and system losses.
• Improved collection efficiency from 70% to 120% through internal control strengthening.
• Conducted load analysis and transformer performance monitoring to detect operational risks.
• Supervised field operations ensuring compliance with HSE and electrical safety procedures.
• Implemented control systems reducing both technical and commercial losses.
• Conducted fault investigations on distribution transformers and coordinated corrective actions.
• Delivered daily safety briefings and toolbox talks to reinforce risk awareness culture.

E & I Engineer at Prime Sources Limited | ExxonMobil QIT Power Distribution Upgrade Project (2015-03 – 2018-12)

Engaged on a part-time/contract basis while employed full-time with PHED.

• Executed maintenance and commissioning of high-voltage electrical systems in oil & gas environment.
• Installed and tested transformers, switchgear, isolators, and lightning protection systems.
• Performed preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on power distribution assets.
• Conducted grounding system integrity tests for plant-wide electrical safety compliance.
• Supported commissioning of motors, pumps, and critical oil & gas electrical equipment.
• Maintained LV/MV distribution networks and lighting systems.
• Ensured strict compliance with process safety and ExxonMobil operational standards.

NAPTIN Trainee Engineer at Transmission Company of Nigeria, (TCN) and Egbin Thermal Power Plc (2013-11 – 2014-12)

• Supported routine inspections on load centres, grounding systems, and associated electrical equipment.
• Assisted in basic maintenance activities on transformers and power distribution equipment under supervision.
• Observed testing procedures on power transformers, earthing systems, and instrument transformers using standard tools.
• Supported maintenance of LV and HV power distribution systems, including switchyard and facility lighting.
• Assisted in installation and inspection of CT and VT-operated energy meters.
• Participated in reconditioning silica gel and carried out transformer oil BDV tests.
• Observed maintenance of DC systems, including batteries and chargers for high-voltage equipment.
• Participated in transmission line tracing and basic fault identification activities.
• Conducted visual inspections on pumps, motors, and auxiliary equipment alongside senior engineers.
• Gained practical exposure to boiler and steam turbine operations, including monitoring key parameters and safety systems.
• Participated in plant walkdowns and routine inspections to support safe and reliable generation operations.
• Applied standard protection codes (SPC) and ensured 100% safety procedures at transmission substation and Egbin power plant.

Fire Cadet at Ekiti State Fire Service (2012-09 – 2013-11)

• Achieved 90% performance in technical and safety training, demonstrating strong competency in risk awareness and emergency preparedness.
• Controlled, contained, and mitigated fire incidents, supporting safe operations and minimizing potential asset and personnel risks.
• Maintained 100% operational readiness of firefighting materials and equipment, ensuring reliability for hazard mitigation.
• Enforced 100% adherence to safety procedures, reinforcing compliance with established risk and emergency management protocols.

Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical & Electronics Engineering – Federal University, Oye-Ekiti

NAPTIN (GSDP) in Power Systems Engineering – National Power Training Institute of Nigeria

Higher National Diploma in Electrical & Electronics Engineering – Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti