President Bola Tinubu has urged international oil companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria to award more energy contracts to competent indigenous engineering and manufacturing firms to boost local participation, create jobs and strengthen the economy.

The President made the call on Thursday while receiving the Founder and Chairman of Lee Engineering Group, Leemon Ikpea, at the State House, Abuja.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘President Tinubu Backs Nigerian Engineering as Local Firm Builds Compressor Stations to Unlock Escravos–Lagos Pipeline’s 2.3 Billion Cubic Feet Daily Gas Capacity.’

According to the statement, Lee Engineering is handling the engineering, procurement and construction of two midline compressor stations in Edo State.

The project is expected to improve gas supply to power plants and industries along the pipeline corridor while increasing supplies to neighbouring West African countries through the West African Gas Pipeline.

He urged international oil companies to establish stronger partnerships with indigenous engineering firms that had demonstrated the capacity to execute complex projects.

The President also highlighted the executive orders and presidential directives introduced by his administration in 2024 to strengthen local content compliance, reduce contracting costs and shorten approval timelines.

In his remarks, Ikpea commended the President’s policy and disclosed that Lee Engineering’s fabrication yard in Warri, Delta State, was producing some of the components required for the compressor station projects.

He described the facility as housing some of the industry’s most advanced fabrication equipment.

Ikpea said Nigerian engineering companies had invested significantly in equipment, technology and skilled personnel, positioning them to undertake complex projects previously handled by foreign contractors.

He added that greater participation by indigenous firms would help retain jobs, technical expertise and economic value within Nigeria.