Akeni Kingsley, Managing Director of Expertlands Construction Limited, has positioned the company as a rising force in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. In a recent interview with Racheal Olatayo, he shared insights on securing multi-year contracts through commitment to transparency, strategic partnerships, and technical excellence. Kingsley highlighted the role of Nigeria’s Local Content Law in fostering industry growth and consolidation towards growth and development.

Expertlands Construction Limited is relatively new in the oil and gas industry but has secured multi-year production-optimization contracts. What specific strategies did your company employ to gain this level of industry trust and recognition?
Expertlands Construction Limited has built industry trust through a combination of technical expertise, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to operational excellence.

The origin of Expertlands Group can be traced back to my transition from being a consultant to the Nigerian Federal Government, which ultimately led to the establishment of Expertlands Construction Limited in 2015. Before founding Expertlands, I worked with the Federal Government, where I developed and led other top consultants across the country to implement a project management framework, leveraging my versatility, which was used to oversee and manage multi-billion-naira projects across the country under the Presidency through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals, (OSSAP-MDGs).

With an Initial focus on construction and allied services, Expertlands quickly expanded into oil and gas services, forming partnerships with multinational firms in Nigeria’s energy sector. Kingsley Akeni’s role evolved from pioneer General Manager to Managing Director and presently Chief Executive Officer of the entire Expertlands Group, reflecting a progressive business expansion and diversification into global markets.

What are the key strategies used to gain public trust and recognition?
The key strategies I have employed to gain both public and industry trust, as well as recognition in my role as Executive of the company, have centered on upholding transparency and being intentional in our operational activities. As you know, the oil and gas industry is an highly sensitive, requiring strict adherence to safety standards and a commitment to excellence in both operations and project execution. For example, when we set our goal in 2017 to lead in wellhead maintenance contracts with our clients, our focus was not on profit at the expense of environmental sustainability. Instead, we created an in-house team to ensure that our field campaigns across all locations were carried out with a strong emphasis on safety and the well-being of the local communities.

We ensured that this corporate strategy was consistently followed across our entire client base, which stakeholders can attest to. A notable example is the host communities within the Egbema area in Rivers and Imo states, where we carried out some of our most intensive field campaign activities. These communities can vouch for our dedication to integrating environmental sustainability and socio-economic development into our operations. Every community we work in benefits from knowledge transfer, as we deliberately recruit and train at least one qualified individual from the local area. Furthermore, they gain exposure by working alongside staff members from major companies like Schlumberger, Baker, and others. Many of these local hires have gone on to excel in the industry. I also ensured that these individuals are supported in obtaining certifications such as the prestigious International Well Control Forum (IWCF) qualifications. On a personal level, I take great pride in these efforts, as they reflect my personal modest contribution to supporting the government’s initiative to enhance indigenous participation and promote local content integration in Nigeria’s energy sector.

You mentioned that Expertlands has recruited high-value personnel from reputable firms like Schlumberger, Halliburton, and Baker Hughes. How does this experienced workforce contribute to the company’s ability to execute these contracts successfully?
Yes, we deliberately hired experienced well-trained hands from the multinationals. When Expertlands was founded in 2015, I was deeply inspired by the level of sophistication and operational excellence demonstrated by the leading oilfield service companies, such as Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, and Halliburton. Before the introduction of the Local Content Law, these companies controlled over 90 percent of the oil well production optimization efforts in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. With that in mind, i set out to uphold the same high industry standards in our operations with the entry of Expertlands into the specialized services areas in the industry. In order to achieve this, I set out on a goal to attract and to recruit these qualified, well-trained and experienced personnel who had lost their employment contracts with these companies. This strategy paid-off as we were able to quickly achieve industry excellence which significantly bolstered our operational capacity and capabilities for our clients.
The Nigerian government’s Local Content Law aims to empower indigenous companies.

How has this policy specifically benefited Expertlands Limited, and what challenges have you faced in implementing it?
Yes, I thank you for this question which I believe is very important one. The most significant thing I would wish to state that this policy provided an opportunity for the transformation of the industry and its gains are there for all to see.

Firstly, it has Increased access to enhanced fair procurement processes aimed at ensuring that our local industries play more dominant roles which in, itself stabilizes the industry. This is because the government’s policies prioritize indigenous firms, allowing firms like Expertlands to competitively bid for contracts previously exclusively dominated by multinational corporations. For me as Business Executive, it has encouraged our investment in local workforce training and technology transfer. More so, it has enabled local have access to funding through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

However, the policy has had its down sides and challenges. This includes the fact that it has a tendency for limited Access to Advanced Technology. For me, I think this can be mitigated by ensuring that our entrepreneurs and business executives are versatile and informed and updating themselves with modern state-of-the-art technologies. The Offshore Technology Conference, (OTC) held yearly in the United States of America, (USA), is the world’s biggest gathering of energy experts from across the globe. The gains of attendance of such globally impactful events by local businesses can be harnessed to enable technology-knowledge, transfer and application. This shall help to eliminate dependence on foreign expertise for specialized services.

On a side note, I also advise that, in order to compliment the local content law, Nigeria must do all it can to ensure our production-cost per barrel remains globally competitive as has been repeatedly canvassed by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, (OPEC). This is one key way we can consolidate on the benefits of the policy.

Your company has partnered with foreign-based Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for technical synergies. Can you elaborate on the nature of these partnerships?
Expertlands has formed strategic partnerships with OEMs, particularly from the U.S., Europe, and Asia, to strengthen technical synergies in well-production optimization services. These collaborations have positioned the company as a formidable force in its pursuit of industry leadership. We view these partnerships as key drivers in enhancing Nigeria’s global visibility within the energy sector. Additionally, we have leveraged these alliances to unlock opportunities for improved service delivery, supporting Nigeria’s efforts to meet and bolster its OPEC quota targets.

The synergies we have built have enabled us develop improved well completion and stimulation as well as enabled us access advanced AI tools for well intervention services. Another key benefit is that it has enabled us improve our technological offerings in the area of real-time data analytics for monitoring and improving production output. This is important as our introduction of our state-of-the-art combo wireline units from the USA, which are AI-enabled into the Nigerian industry has been hailed for its brilliant performance in improving safe production capabilities. On the whole, these technical collaborations improved our service efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and technical capability.

With NPDC currently producing about 400,000 barrels per day, how does Expertlands plan to contribute to achieving Nigeria’s OPEC quota of 2.5 million barrels per day, and what are the key milestones you hope to achieve in the coming years?
As an oil and gas servicing company, we aim to play a crucial role in helping the nation meet its oilfield production potential in several ways. Firstly, by fostering local talent and expertise, our company intend to build a skilled workforce that is not only capable of meeting the immediate needs of oilfield operations but also prepared to innovate and adapt to future challenges. This investment in human capital helps ensure the long-term sustainability of the nation’s oil industry, allowing it to fully capitalize on its production potential.

Secondly, we intent to consolidate on investing in advanced technologies and specialized services, through enhance well-production optimization. Through the use of cutting-edge tools, such as real-time data analytics and AI-powered solutions. This can significantly improve the efficiency and output of oilfields, ensuring better resource management and maximizing production. We are also ensuring that oilfield equipment remains reliable and well-maintained, in order to reduce downtime, increase operational longevity, and ultimately contribute to the stability and growth of the country’s oil production capabilities.

What are the key factors preventing Nigeria from consistently meeting and surpassing its 2.5 million barrels per day OPEC production quota, and what strategies can be employed to overcome these challenges?
Thank you very much for this all-important question. This issue is very dear to my heart as production capabilities is paramount for the future of the country been a mono-product economy.

A disturbing trend that has negated and militated against the surpassing of the 2.5mbp/d has been the issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalism which adversely reduces the country’s production output. Closely related to this is the issue of our aging Infrastructure and facilities. I am happy to note that my company, Expertlands has been formidably involved in wellhead integrity maintenance services aimed at ensuring regular maintenance of their infrastructure. No doubt, many production facilities require modernization and upgrade services designed to mitigate challenges due to aged facilities in order to boost production capabilities. Professionally speaking, I think the strategies for improving the country’s production capabilities includes the strengthening of pipeline surveillance and security measures to forestall oil theft. Equally important is the fast-tracking of new investments in new refineries and modular processing plants. The government must do all it can to ensure stable regulatory frameworks to attract Foreign Direct Investments, (FDIs).

How has the Local Content Law impacted the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, and what further reforms are needed to strengthen indigenous participation in high-value production services?
The Local Content policy has, no doubt, had a positive impact in the industry. This is because it has led to increased local employment, fair local public procurement opportunities that positively favor indigenes. However, my advice to Government is to ensure that there should be a clear and unambiguous balance between the implementation of the policy and the need to ensure that our industry stays competitive and abreast on technological trends and developments at the global energy level.

In terms of other reform policies that can strengthen indigenous participation in high-value production services, I would recommend that there is a need to expand financial support for local companies while deliberately creating more technology-transfer incentives with foreign technical partners.

What role do foreign technical partnerships and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) play in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, and how can the country balance local capacity building with foreign expertise?
Original Equipment Manufacturers, (OEMs) are critical partners in the quest to provide high-end technology, equipment maintenance, and knowledge-opportunities for transfer for businesses. However, my recommendation has always been that there is the need to balance their important place and role with the protection of the businesses in the industry in Nigeria. That balance is critical to ensure that we are able to build local capacity, technical expertise and experience needed to galvanize growth and development in the industry. To this end, there is the need for Government to put in place policies mandating OEMs to develop joint venture partnerships with local firms and encouraging foreign companies to establish local manufacturing hubs to reduce import-dependency. My position has always been that the Asian markets could be explored in this direction as they are generally more accommodating, less draconian and supportive of socialist tendencies. This can enhance opportunities for knowledge-transfer and capacity-building in the Nigerian energy sector.

With the increasing emphasis on operational efficiency in the oil and gas sector, what emerging technologies or best practices can companies adopt to optimize production and reduce downtime?
The world today is experiencing a flurry of new and quickly changing technologies and breakthroughs which are astonishing. Almost every single sector and industry have been inundated with innovations that are sometimes mind-boggling. The oil/gas industry being a technology-intensive one has had its own fair share of revolution. The most outstanding is the application of Artificial Intelligence, (AI) to optimize, predict and conduct production and production-monitoring services through various algorithms and applications across the industry.

The emergence and intensification of these technologies have greatly improved the delivery of production targets surpassing planned forecasts. Nigeria stands to gain a whole lot by embracing these technologies in the effort to stabilize our role as Africa’s largest oil producing nation. This is important in view of the fact that other oil producing African countries such as Angola and Algeria are competing for global energy market-share even within the same continent.

In terms of measures to be put in place to reduce downtime, I would recommend that producing companies embrace AI-enable production frameworks which are inherently designed to ensure improved production which are oftentimes, safer and more environmentally sustainable. This has the potentials aimed at ensuring real-time monitoring of well performance and boosts production. Also, it is recommended that companies adopt Automated Drilling Systems designed to reduce human error and improving efficiency, while aligning with global environmental standards.

Nigeria’s oil and gas sector remains highly competitive, with both multinational and indigenous companies playing key roles. What policies or business strategies can help local companies scale up and compete effectively?
I am a realist and would want to state that the policy framework for the industry has been deliberately designed to enable both multinational and local companies compete favorably. We have always recommended the need for us to integrate the provisions of both the public procurement Act and the Local Content policy. This is to ensure that the nuances and spirit of both policies are in consonance. The integration will enable both stakeholders join hands in consolidating in the government’s efforts to stabilize the Nigerian oil/gas industry.

As global energy trends shift towards sustainability and cleaner energy; how should Nigeria’s oil and gas industry adapt to remain relevant while meeting environmental and regulatory expectations?
The place of sustainability and cleaner energy is paramount in the global energy sector. This is because of a variety of factors which include climate change and its adverse effects.
I recommend that in order to meet environmental and regulatory expectations, Nigeria has to ensure diversification by Investing in gas, renewable energy, and carbon reduction technologies. Secondly, the Government can work with industry to develop eco-friendly drilling and production techniques, while aligning with global Environmental, Social, and Governance, (ESG), standards.

Looking at the next decade, what are the biggest opportunities and risks facing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, and how can industry leaders navigate them for long-term stability and growth?
I think the biggest opportunities that Nigeria has today is the huge and abundant gas resources and reserves that have been discovered in the country. Nigeria is presently home to some of the largest natural gas reserves in the world with proven natural gas reserves estimated at around 206 Trillion Cubic Feet (Tcf), making it the 9th largest gas reserves globally. I personally believe that gas is the future of global energy stability and Nigeria must begin to create the right incentives to boost investments in the sector.

In terms of risks, the standardization of globally approved guidelines for adherence to safety and other regulations is a core challenge in the industry. There is need for a uniform guideline for upholding public safety and its adherence. This is because of the impact of non-adherence on the security of human lives as well as preservation of environmental and socio-economic livelihood opportunities.

In terms of efforts to navigate the challenges, I would recommend expansion into gas monetization projects as global demand for LNG rises. Lastly, it is recommended that licenses be issued for local modular refineries be developed to reduce fuel imports.