President Bola Tinubu has urged international oil companies operating in Nigeria to award more contracts to qualified Nigerian engineering and manufacturing firms to boost local participation in the energy sector.
Tinubu made the call on Thursday during a meeting with Leemon Ikpea, founder and chairman of Lee Engineering Group, at the State House in Abuja.
According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President wants international oil companies to partner more with indigenous firms capable of delivering major energy projects.
The call comes as Lee Engineering undertakes the construction of two gas compressor stations in Edo State to improve the capacity of the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System.
The project is expected to help the pipeline deliver up to 2.3 billion standard cubic feet of gas daily, following an expansion that increased its designed capacity from 1.1 billion standard cubic feet per day.
The additional capacity is expected to strengthen gas supplies to power plants and industries along the pipeline corridor. It could also support increased exports to neighbouring West African countries through the West African Gas Pipeline, generating additional revenue for Nigeria.
Tinubu said his administration’s Nigeria First policy should create more contracts for capable Nigerian businesses, encourage the use of locally manufactured equipment and generate skilled employment.
He also highlighted executive orders and presidential directives introduced in 2024 to strengthen local content compliance, reduce contracting costs and shorten approval timelines for businesses operating in the country.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to developing Nigeria’s gas resources to improve electricity supply, support industrial growth, create jobs and increase export earnings.
Speaking during the meeting, Ikpea said Lee Engineering was manufacturing some components for the compressor stations at its fabrication yard in Warri, Delta State.
He noted that Nigerian engineering companies had invested in modern equipment, technology and skilled personnel, enabling them to undertake complex projects that were previously handled mainly by foreign contractors.
Ikpea added that greater involvement of indigenous firms in the oil and gas industry would help retain more jobs, technical expertise and economic value within Nigeria.
