Uche Cecil Izuora
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), Mr. Adeleye Falade, has pledged to strengthen the company’s partnership with Coleman Technical Industries Limited, particularly in the area of local content development.
Falade spoke during a facility tour of Coleman’s factories in Sagamu and Arepo, Ogun State, where he expressed surprise at the scale of the company’s operations, investment in machinery and equipment, and the professionalism of its workforce.
He described what he saw at the facilities as “mind-blowing,” saying the visit demonstrated what Nigerian businesses could achieve through sustained investment and commitment.
Falade said NLNG and Coleman already had a business relationship, adding that there were opportunities to expand the partnership beyond 2027.
“We’re already in partnership. That partnership will only expand. There is scope; there is opportunity,” he said.
He said NLNG was exploring opportunities to connect Nigerian manufacturers with international projects, including the construction of vessels for the company, stressing that Nigerian-made products could compete globally when quality and value were demonstrated.
“I’m not sure I was prepared for what I saw. I mean, that’s the honest truth. I’d seen a few of Coleman events, and I knew that something remarkable is going on, but I don’t think any of that prepared me for what I saw,” Falade said.
The NLNG CEO said the company would continue to support opportunities that could grow Nigerian businesses, create employment and deepen local content, noting its commitment to promoting Nigerian capacity.
He described Coleman’s facilities as a source of immense pride to Nigeria, saying the company had demonstrated world-class operational standards and local manufacturing capacity.
Falade also commended Coleman’s leadership, particularly the Managing Director and CEO, George Onafowokan, and Executive Director, Michael Onafowokan, for building a business with the characteristics of a world-class organisation.
Responding, Onafowokan described Falade’s visit as an endorsement of the longstanding relationship between NLNG and Coleman, as well as NLNG’s commitment to local content development.
He said Coleman had benefited from NLNG’s local content initiatives, including its participation in major NLNG projects such as Train 7.
Onafowokan said Coleman’s growth from a family-owned business into a multinational and generational company was driven by its belief in Nigerian talent and capacity.
He said the company’s story was ultimately “the Nigerian story” of a business built on the conviction that Nigerians could manufacture world-class products and operate world-class facilities from within the country.
Onafowokan thanked the NLNG CEO for the visit, saying the positive feedback would further encourage Coleman to invest in its people, facilities and capacity as it seeks to contribute more to Nigeria’s industrial development.