President Bola Tinubu has called on international oil companies to award more contracts to Nigerian engineering and manufacturing firms capable of handling major energy projects. He made the remarks on Thursday while meeting the Founder and Chairman of Lee Engineering Group, Leemon Ikpea, at the State House in Abuja, according to a statement from the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu's push comes as Lee Engineering carries out the engineering, procurement and construction of two midline compressor stations in Edo State. These stations are designed to increase operating pressure on the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System, raising its daily gas delivery capacity to 2.3 billion standard cubic feet, the statement said. The pipeline's designed capacity was previously set at 1.1 billion cubic feet daily under an earlier expansion known as ELPS II. According to the statement, the project is expected to boost gas supply to power plants and industries along the pipeline corridor and increase supplies to neighbouring West African countries through the West African Gas Pipeline, creating scope for additional export revenue.
The President said his Nigeria First policy must translate into more contracts for capable Nigerian firms, greater use of locally manufactured equipment and more skilled jobs for Nigerians. He encouraged international oil companies to build stronger partnerships with indigenous engineering companies that have demonstrated the capacity to deliver complex projects. He also pointed to his administration's 2024 executive orders and presidential directives on local content compliance, contracting costs and approval timelines as measures designed to attract investment, cut delays and expand opportunities for Nigerian businesses.
Ikpea backed the policy and noted that Lee Engineering's fabrication yard in Warri, Delta State, is making some components for the compressor stations. The yard houses some of the most advanced fabrication equipment in the industry, he said. Nigerian companies have invested heavily in equipment, technology and skilled personnel and could now undertake complex projects previously handled by foreign contractors, keeping more jobs, expertise and economic value in the country, he added.
For businesses and investors, the push means more opportunities for Nigerian firms to win energy sector contracts and for manufacturing companies to supply equipment to major projects, though success will depend on demonstrating capability to handle complex work.