Megaproject Development and Decision Making

Why do so many billion-dollar megaprojects fail, and how can leaders prevent it?

Megaproject Development and Decision Making provides the answers. Drawing on decades of global leadership across energy, mining, refining, and infrastructure, Akin Oni reveals that the destiny of megaprojects is shaped not in execution, but long before, during development, evaluation, governance, and decision-making.

This book dismantles the myths that delays, cost overruns, and underperformance are inevitable. Instead, it shows how weak evaluations, poor risk discipline, and fragmented stakeholder alignment doom projects before approval. With clarity and conviction, Oni equips leaders with the tools and foresight to change the narrative.

Inside, readers will discover:

• How to evaluate megaprojects effectively and make disciplined investment choices.
• Strategic decision-making frameworks for capital projects.
• Proven risk management approaches to mitigate failure triggers, early.
• Best practices in project governance and accountability.
• How to embed ethics, sustainability, and long-term value into delivery.

Far more than a technical manual, this is a call to action. Megaprojects are not just technical or financial undertakings; they are ethical commitments, vehicles for long-term value, and legacies that shape economies and societies.

Whether you are a project manager, executive, or investor, this book challenges you to lead differently, anticipate wisely, decide boldly, and deliver results that endure.

Akin Oni is a globally respected megaproject executive with more than 35 years of leadership experience across oil, natural gas, LNG, mining, refining, and infrastructure. He has held senior leadership positions (development, delivery, and/or governance) with Cheniere Energy, BHP Billiton, Stantec, NETCO (Bechtel/NNPC JV), leading multibillion-dollar capital projects (M&A and Construction) across most continents.

An engineer by training and a strategist by practice, Oni is recognized for bridging business vision with disciplined project development and execution. He is an active thought leader in AACE International, PMI, and global cross-sector industry forums, where he speaks on leadership, planning, governance, risk, ethics, and the future of project management and controls. He holds multiple Distinguished Toastmaster awards.

Today, he advises boards, executives, and investors on identifying, developing, and delivering projects that create lasting economic and societal impact.