Simbi Wabote's Industrial Revolution: How Nigeria Built Africa's First FPSO Integration Yard and 250,000-Ton Fabrication Capacity | Feature Article
- Lindsey Schlandt
- Oct 1
- 1 min read
CEOTODAYMAGAZINE.COM — Under Simbi Wabote’s leadership of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (2016–2023), Nigeria transformed from an importer of oil and gas infrastructure to a regional fabrication hub. The landmark Egina FPSO project in 2018 showcased Africa’s first successful integration yard, where 24 million man-hours of work and 1.2 million hours of engineering design were completed locally. This breakthrough proved Nigerian facilities could handle complex offshore fabrication, setting new standards for technical capacity and knowledge transfer.
Beyond Egina, fabrication capacity expanded across multiple companies, creating 250,000 metric tons of annual output and adding pipe manufacturing and coating capabilities exceeding 550,000 metric tons. These investments generated thousands of jobs, built lasting technical expertise, and attracted international partnerships that transferred advanced skills to Nigerian workers. Wabote’s industrial legacy established Nigeria as a sustainable fabrication center for both domestic and regional projects, ensuring that infrastructure and expertise remain long after individual projects conclude.
