Mkpoikana Udoma
Yenagoa — The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Seal Energy Group Inc., Dr. Doyle Edeni, has called for greater collaboration and strategic partnerships to foster growth in Nigeria’s chemical industry.
Speaking at the 13th Practical Nigerian Content Forum in Yenagoa, Edeni emphasized the challenges of setting up businesses in Nigeria, citing bureaucratic red tape, regulatory hurdles, and limited access to financing as major obstacles to growth.
He said, “In the US, local manufacturing is greatly supported and encouraged, but in Nigeria, to set up even a small factory, the regulators demand your arms and legs. The barriers to trade and production are so high that it becomes almost impossible for new companies to break through.”
Despite these challenges, Edeni said he remains optimistic about the potential for growth, particularly through investment in local businesses.
“We are planning to build 10 factories over the next 15 years, focusing on oil field chemicals. Our goal is to ensure these factories meet global standards so that we can compete internationally while supporting Nigerian content,” he explained.
He also spoke about the importance of creating a sustainable, collaborative business ecosystem.
“For this industry to truly grow, we need partnerships. Large companies like ours have the resources, but we cannot do it alone. We need to bring in smaller players and invest in them. Big players should carry the small players along. It’s not about competition; it’s about collaboration. Together, we can scale, and that’s how we can grow the industry.”
The Blue Seal boss highlighted the company’s participation in the Dubai Expo as a significant achievement, noting that many international participants were surprised to see a chemical company from Nigeria on such a global platform.
“When we participated in the Dubai Expo, people were amazed that a Nigerian chemical company was there. That’s the kind of global visibility our local companies need. We must show the world that Nigeria is home to innovative, high-quality industries,” he added.
In addition to fostering international recognition, Dr. Edeni discussed the long-term vision of Blue Seal Energy.
“After 10 years of investment, we want to give smaller companies the opportunity to buy us out. We don’t want to own everything. The goal is to empower local businesses and ensure they have a stake in the future of the industry,” he said.
Edeni further affirmed his commitment to the growth of Nigeria’s chemical industry, with a focus on collaboration, local content development, and international expansion, which aligns with ongoing efforts from the NCDMB to support the growth of indigenous companies in the energy and manufacturing sectors.
“We must be conscious of how we support local businesses. It’s not enough to simply talk about local content; we need concrete action, investment, and collaboration to make it a reality,” Dr. Edeni concluded.
