President Bola Tinubu has urged international oil companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria to award more contracts to competent indigenous engineering firms, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to developing the country’s gas resources.

Tinubu spoke at the State House, Abuja, while receiving the Founder and Chairman of Lee Engineering Group, Chief Leemon Ikpea, who briefed him on the firm’s construction of two compressor stations for the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS).

The stations, being built in Edo State, are expected to enable the pipeline to operate at its full capacity of 2.3 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, boosting supplies to power plants and industries and supporting exports to neighbouring West African countries.

The President said his Nigeria First policy would promote local manufacturing, create skilled jobs and retain more economic value within the country. He also highlighted executive orders and directives introduced in 2024 to strengthen local content compliance, reduce contracting costs and shorten approval timelines.

Ikpea said the company was manufacturing some components for the compressor stations at its fabrication yard in Warri, Delta State. He added that Nigerian engineering firms had invested in modern equipment, technology and skilled personnel, enabling them to execute complex engineering, procurement and construction projects previously handled by foreign contractors.