By Ediri Ejoh

The Nigerian oil and gas industry is said to be the driver of the nation’s economy. The sector is further perceived as the anchor of its growth and development. However, the desired transformation can only happens when men and women with the entrepreneur skill pilot affairs in the private sector accept the enormous challenge which comes with actualizing such dreams.

One man who’s live has been devoted to the actualization of this dream of transforming the nation’s economy via the oil and gas industry is Chief Dr. Leemon Agbonjagwe Ikpea.

A recipient of the national award of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Chief Ikpea, who turns 69 years old on December 19, 2025, is known for his contribution to the economy. He has spent 34 out of his 69 years on earth playing the critical role of an entrepreneur in the oil and gas industry.

At age 35, Chief Ikpea, driven by the inspirational statement of John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you, – ask what you can do for your country,” left his paid job to establish Lee Engineering and Construction Company Limited on November 11, 1991.

Record has it that the company started with a handful of staff, made up of his brother, Engr. Tony Ikpea who joined him to build the new vision, a secretary and two field personnel.

According to him, the company started in a 40-feet container in Warri, Delta State, with a vision “to be a top-class firm engaged in engineering construction, energy, and infrastructure development projects.”

Determined to make a mark in the oil and gas industry, Lee Engineering as an indigenous firm at the time of inception, ventured into contract execution for International Oil Companies (IOCs) such as Shell, Chevron, etc., as well as the then Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

As a strong advocate and supporter of the Nigerian Local Content initiative, Dr. Ikpea, in 2009, commenced a diversification move when he committed resources to establish a steel products fabrication factory in Warri. The concept is to put Nigeria in the driver’s seat in Africa’s quest for industrialization. As at today, the company is at the forefront of fabricating steel tools used in the oil and gas industry, hitherto imported, thereby saving the country of foreign exchange hemorrhage while deepening local capacity.

Humanitarianism

Having fulfilled his dream of creating the proverbial golden spoon for himself, as he was born without any, Chief Ikpea has a large heart in terms of alleviating poverty, sickness, illiteracy, and all forms of pain.

To facilitate his humanitarian dream, he established the Agbonjagwe Foundation to cater to the less privileged in society.

Speaking on the philosophy behind the foundation, he said, “I am convinced that God blessed me to be a blessing to others. The foundation is my own little way of doing so, especially for the less privileged.”

Expatriating, he said, “My first priority is orphans, children that are passing the same road I took some years ago, because I know what it means when you cannot pay your school fees and when nobody cares for you.

“Somebody needs to comfort them, and I feel that I should be that person. So, I established a foundation in 2012 called Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation.”

Available records show that the foundation has assisted over 400 students in assessing formal education. In addition to catering for widows and old people numbering over 300 with regular stipend, clothes and food items.

Explaining how this is done, he said, “Every month, my foundation gives them an allowance, as we are paying our workers’ salaries.

“In addition, we draw up a scheme for the widows to allow them learn some trade to enable them to care for themselves and their children.

“We train artisans on welding and electrical works, pipe-fitting and train women in some communities on sewing and hairdressing.

“We also assist some people with serious ailments like liver and kidney problems, and even cancer. We sent about 15 people to India, but we lost one, and the others are still alive today.”

Taking Humanitarianism Home

In mid-2024, Chief Ikpea thought it wise to establish a befitting hospital in his hometown, Ewatto, in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Consequently, the Agbonjagwe Foundation commissioned the building of a 62-bed health facility. There are indications that the facility may commence operation in early 2026, as it’s over 95% complete. A close source hinted that the facility could have been flagged off as part of the 69th birthday celebration program, but for the absence of equipment, reportedly imported, which has yet to arrive on the shores of the country.

Array of Awards

As a man who indeed contributed in many ways to the economic wellbeing of Nigeria and Nigerians, Chief Ikpea has equally been honoured for his role by various institutions as well as the government.

The latest in the series of awards was the Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) of Engineering conferred on him by the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, on March 15, 2025.

A letter signed by the university’s vice chancellor, Prof. Akpofure Rim, the school authority said the conferment is in recognition of Chief Ikpea’s enduring contributions to the development of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, especially his unwavering commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region.

Confirming the university’s observation and as well applauding it, the President and Chairman-in-Council of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), who personally witness the ceremony, said the conferment was well deserved in view of his commitment to the empowerment of Engineers and the advancement of Engineering technology in the oil and gas industry.

She stated that Chief Ikpea’s dedication to the development of Engineering technology in the country has previously earned him the prestigious title of Honorary Fellow of NSE. She emphasized that both honours attest to Chief Ikpea’s inspiring and visionary leadership acumen and deep love for Nigeria.

The federal government has equally attested to his contribution to the country, hence in 2023, the then President, Muhammadu Buhari, received the national award of CON.

In a letter to Chief Ikpea, the former president stated that: “Chief Ikpea has, through the grace of God and hard work, risen from modest beginnings to the topmost rungs of the business ladder, commending him as an example to the younger generation.”

President Buhari also stated that Lee Engineering and Construction Company, of which Chief Ikpea is Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, is one of the home-grown investors in the oil and gas industry, thus proving that Nigerians can excel in the highly technical sector.

These awards and many more not mentioned here confirm that as Chief Ikpea celebrate 69 years of existence on planet earth, he has in many ways impacted society and humanity meaningfully. One can only pray that God bestow him with good health to continue the great work. More grease to his elbows.