Nabirm: A Testament to the Power of Positive Thinking, Perseverance, and Networking on a Global Scale
- Donald V. Watkins
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
By: Donald V. Watkins
Copyrighted and Published on November 1, 2025
On October 29, 2025, Olayinka Arowolo texted me a copy of the front-page of the Business Section of Namibia’s New Era newspaper. Arowolo is the CEO of Nabirm Energy Service (PTY) Ltd., a Namibian based oil and gas company that he and I co-founded in August 2011. Arowolo is a successful African entrepreneur and highly-respected corporate executive who lives and works in Namibia.
African-based GRAFFI DBA Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd. became a Nabirm shareholder in 2014. U.S.-based Horizons, LLC (Huntsville, Alabama), became a shareholder in 2020.
Nabirm acquired its oil and gas license for Oil Block 2113A in the Walvis Basin in 2012. Since that time, Nabirm has carefully and prudently developed Block 2113A in accordance with its government-approved geotechnical work plan. International oil giants Chevron, Exxon, and TotalEnergies are also developing their respective oil blocks in the same Basin.
The October 29th news article featured Arowolo standing on the deck of the Maersk Deliverer, a column stabilized dynamically positioned semi-submersible oil drilling rig that is capable of operating in waters of more than 3,000 meters.made. New Era made this major announcement about Nabirm:
“In a defining moment for Namibia’s burgeoning energy sector, London-based GRIT Investment Trust Plc (GRIT) has announced a proposed strategic reverse takeover to acquire Nabirm Global LLC. This landmark partnership arrives as Namibia solidifies its position as the world’s next great energy frontier, coinciding with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s decisive actions to ensure the highest standards of governance and oversight across the petroleum sector.”
Perseverance, Hard Work, and Networking are the Keys to Bringing an Oil and Gas Enterprenuer's Dream to Life
On January 16, 2015, UK-based Upstream magazine called Nabirm a “minnow” in the international oil and gas world. This "minnow" undertook and completed the same 2D seismic work program for offshore oil and gas exploration that was undertaken and completed by major international oil companies in the Walvis Basin.
After Nabirm's 2D seismic work program was completed, Houston, Texas-based ION Geophysical Corporation confirmed the presence of at least 522 million barrels of “unrisked” recoverable Brent crude oil and 583 billion cubic feet of “unrisked” methane natural gas in Oil Block 2113A.
There are exciting times ahead for Nabirm, its executive management team, shareholders, and their work in the international oil and gas business. What many naysayers thought was an impossible dream for this "minnow" to achieve is now a reality, as Nabirm prepares for Norwegian-based Electromagnetic Geoservices (EMGS) ASA to conduct its proprietary Controlled Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) Survey operations on Oil Block 2113A.
Nabirm is a testament to the power of positive thinking, perseverance, and networking in business on a global scale. Rugged individualism is fine for many small businesses, but global networking is required to explore, develop, and build a sustainable international oil and gas company.
Mr. Watkins, I am glad to read that you are still on the Trail with Nabirm. There is guy on the Internet advertising that he has developed a machine that converts plastic into usable energy for gasoline and diesel powered engines. I believe he is located in Africa too. I see Russell every now and then and he always ask have I heard from you. Told that if he had become mayor here, he would have made you his Chief of Staff. Regardless, good to hear from you. I am still out here writing everyday. I would like to think that I helped a little in Mr. Sean Combs not going to prison for Life and Losing every ce…
An interesting little success story, but I wouldn't give it the five-star rating I've given practically all your other wonderful posts.
Never let naysayers quash your dreams and always believe in the power of positive thinking. The best things in life require hard work and perseverance.