In 2021, Broron Oil and Gas Limited (BOGL), a top-tier Nigerian indigenous oil and gas services provider, engaged me as an IT Consultant to lead a strategic transition from Google Workspace (Gmail) to Microsoft 365 Exchange Online for over 250 users across departments. This initiative was aimed at unifying their communication, enhancing data security, and aligning their IT infrastructure with global oil and gas industry standards.
The scope of the engagement included:
Full email migration from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365
Deployment and configuration of Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint Online
Setup of security protocols such as MFA and DLP policies
Advisory on IT asset management and 3rd-party contractor oversight
Providing ongoing technical support and staff training
Key Deliverables
Microsoft 365 Migration
Migrated 250+ mailboxes from Google Workspace (Gmail) to Microsoft 365 Exchange Online
Preserved full email history, calendar items, and contact information
Provisioned Microsoft 365 accounts and licenses (Business Basic & Business Standard)
Configured Outlook Desktop, OWA, OneDrive, and Teams for all users
Set up SharePoint Online for document collaboration and project folders
Migration Activities
Used Microsoft Migration tools (IMAP/Third-party tools) for a seamless transfer
Verified SPF, DKIM, and DNS changes for secure email delivery
Created cutover plan with minimal disruption to business operations
Conducted user onboarding and email profile reconfiguration
Security & Governance
Enabled Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all users
Configured DLP policies and email encryption
Set mailbox retention and backup policy using Microsoft 365 Compliance Center
IT Consultant Role
Managed 3rd-party contractors and vendors (Level 3 IT Services)
Oversaw hardware provisioning, repairs, and software license compliance
Provided IT advisory and roadmap planning for the BOGL management team
Advised on business continuity planning and cloud-first strategy
Set up an IT Asset Register and managed lifecycle tracking
My Contributions
Served as lead consultant overseeing the full Microsoft 365 deployment lifecycle
Created migration strategy and executed with zero email data loss
Configured security policies, user training, and access management
Established IT operations policies and vendor escalation protocols
Documented the new cloud infrastructure and provided IT handover manuals
Delivered training for both technical staff and end-users
Impact & Outcomes
Migrated BOGL from fragmented Google-based tools to an integrated Microsoft 365 environment
Enabled secure collaboration across projects, departments, and field teams
Reduced support delays by formalizing 3rd-party IT contractor processes
Improved productivity and user satisfaction through training and standardization
Enhanced BOGL’s IT compliance and scalability for future expansion