President Tinubu Supports Local Manufacturing of Energy Products
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting local manufacturing of energy products and equipment as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial sector, create employment opportunities, and reduce dependence on imported goods.
The President has urged international oil companies operating in Nigeria to award more gas and energy-related contracts to capable indigenous companies. He emphasised that increased participation by Nigerian firms would help expand local production, encourage technology transfer, and retain more economic value within the country.
Tinubu made the call on Thursday, October 22, 2026, while receiving Leemon Ikpea, founder and chairman of Lee Engineering Group, at the State House in Abuja. According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President stressed that the Federal Government’s Nigeria First policy should translate into greater use of locally manufactured equipment and increased opportunities for Nigerian engineering companies.
The President also highlighted the importance of strengthening indigenous capacity in the oil and gas industry. He encouraged international oil companies to establish stronger partnerships with qualified Nigerian businesses capable of executing complex engineering and energy projects.
As part of these efforts, the Federal Government has introduced measures aimed at improving local content compliance, reducing contracting costs, and shortening approval timelines. These initiatives are intended to make Nigeria’s business environment more attractive to investors while enabling local companies to compete more effectively in the energy sector.
Lee Engineering Group is involved in the engineering, procurement, and construction of two midline compressor stations in Edo State under the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System expansion project. The facilities are expected to improve gas transportation capacity and support the supply of gas to power plants and industries.
Improved gas infrastructure could also contribute to industrial development by providing more reliable energy supplies for manufacturers. Access to dependable and affordable energy remains a major factor in determining production costs, industrial competitiveness, and the ability of Nigerian businesses to expand their operations.
Tinubu’s support for indigenous manufacturing aligns with his administration’s broader industrialisation agenda, which seeks to encourage domestic production, strengthen supply chains, attract investment, and create sustainable employment.
However, achieving these objectives will require sustained investment in infrastructure, access to affordable financing, consistent policies, technical training, and effective implementation of local content regulations.
The administration’s emphasis on local manufacturing is expected to provide additional opportunities for Nigerian engineers, manufacturers, and energy service providers while strengthening the country’s capacity to produce equipment and components needed by its oil, gas, and power industries.
