By Sunday Ani
The Group Managing Director of Solewant Group, Mr Solomon Ewanehi, has pushed for the adoption of local solutions as they hold the potential to significantly reduce costs and accelerate timelines in oil and gas projects.
Ewanehi emphasised that leveraging indigenous expertise, materials and innovations is not only cost-effective but also crucial for nurturing sustainable development and boosting local content in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Solewant Group is an award-winning Port Harcourt-based advanced coating solutions provider leading a pan-African agenda for industrial excellence in the oil and gas industry.
In this interview, Ewanehi speaks on the global competitiveness of Nigerian-made pipes and coating solutions.
The beginning
Solewant Group is a company I hold close to my heart. We envisioned Solewant Group 25 years ago.
I have always had a deep passion for excellence and entrepreneurship, and these values have shaped my journey in the oil and gas industry. My career began with ABB SOIMI (Nig.) Ltd in Port Harcourt, where I gained valuable experience in various roles. This foundation led me to Beva Group of Companies Ltd as the Executive Director of Operations, which further honed my leadership abilities.
Today, I’m privileged to serve as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Solewant Group, an integrated oil and gas company, specialising in steel pipe production, pipe supply, pipe coating solutions, and pipeline construction.
Under my leadership, Solewant Group has grown to become a trusted name in the industry, with five subsidiaries contributing significantly to the energy sector, both locally and internationally. Our reputation for integrity and excellence has allowed us to make a substantial impact on Nigeria’s economy, particularly in the energy and manufacturing sectors.
Through my career, I have always been driven by a mission to make a difference, ranging from driving local knowledge transfer to fostering technological advancement and creating job opportunities in steel pipe manufacturing and coating. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to attend numerous courses and seminars, both locally and internationally. This has further enriched my understanding of the industry.
We believe in simplifying complex challenges and using those insights to develop world-class facilities, such as our Solewant Energy Training Institute (SETI), which focuses on oil and gas specialized training services.
Clients
As the Group Managing Director of Solewant Group, I am proud to say that our client base reflects our dedication to excellence and our ability to serve a wide spectrum of industries.
Our actual clients include globally renowned International Oil Companies (IOCs), such as Total Energies, ExxonMobil, Chevron, NAOC, Addax Petroleum, and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). These companies have placed their trust in us for critical projects like Total’s Ofon 2 Project, SPDC’s 48” Forcados Pipeline System and Chevron’s Escravos Export System, to name a few.
Additionally, our work with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and other national stakeholders, underscores our strategic role in supporting Nigeria’s energy infrastructure.
We also serve several National Oil Companies (NOCs) firms like SEPLAT, Waltersmith, and Neconde Energy Limited. Beyond the oil and gas sector, we are making strides in providing advanced coating and fabrication solutions to other industries requiring high-quality pipes, pipeline protection, infrastructure development and asset management.
Looking ahead, our potential clients include emerging renewable energy companies, water infrastructure developers, and industries focused on sustainability. With the establishment of Specialty Protective Coatings & Paints Limited, we are positioned to penetrate markets demanding eco-friendly and sustainable coating solutions. This diversification aligns with our vision to support sectors, such as green hydrogen production, solar energy and advanced manufacturing.
Moreover, we aim to collaborate with international clients in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North America. These regions represent growth opportunities, where our expertise in advanced coating technology, pipeline milling and training services can contribute significantly.
Through Solewant Energy Training Institute, we are also building capacity and enhancing talent in pipeline maintenance to support our clients with highly skilled professionals who can meet the demands of a rapidly changing energy landscape.
At Solewant, we view every client not just as a business partner but as a co-creator of innovative solutions. Our philosophy is rooted in delivering value that goes beyond the immediate, ensuring every project contributes to long-term sustainability, economic development, and industrial growth. This makes us not just a service provider but a partner in progress for all our clients, current and future.
Made-in-Nigeria vs imported products
I strongly believe that our products and services embody the essence of the Nigerian Content Act, while also equating global standards in quality and innovation. Also, Solewant Group is a member of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN). In PETAN, we believe in competence and not patronage because we are a Nigerian company. We adhere strictly to international standards and quality management systems (QMS), because doing so not only aligns with the law, but also delivers tangible benefits to the industry and the economy at large.
First, our products and services are designed with a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by operators in the Nigerian oil and gas terrain. Whether it’s the multi-layer pipe coating application systems that we offer, or the cutting-edge fabrication services we provide at our state-of-the-art Solewant Industrial Area, our solutions are tailored to meet both the technical and environmental demands of the region.
Secondly, utilising our products and solutions significantly reduces project costs and timelines. By avoiding the logistical hurdles of importing from abroad, we ensure faster delivery and real-time responsiveness to clients’ needs. For instance, during the construction of critical pipeline systems like the Forcados Pipeline or the Escravos Export System, our local presence enabled seamless project execution within tight deadlines.
Third, choosing Solewant Group promotes the development of indigenous talent and infrastructure. Through our training institute, we are nurturing a new generation of skilled professionals, who are industry-ready. This commitment to local capacity development strengthens Nigeria’s human capital, while fostering technology transfer and innovation.
Finally, our approach to sustainability and quality assurance, ensures that clients get world-class solutions without compromising environmental or operational integrity. Our use of advanced technologies, such as Solid Epoxy Coating System and Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) coatings, align with global best practices, while offering cost efficiencies that imported alternatives often cannot match.
In essence, the oil and gas industry’s insistence on Solewant Group’s products and solutions is not just about complying with the Nigerian Content Act; it’s a strategic decision that drives efficiency, fosters innovation, and contributes to the economic empowerment of our country. We are not just a local provider; we are a globally competitive partner delivering unparalleled value.
Tackling low patronage
That’s a critical issue and one I am deeply passionate about addressing as the GMD of Solewant Group. The challenges of lack of jobs and low patronage among local manufacturing companies and fabrication yards and service companies are multifaceted, but they can be tackled effectively through a combination of policy enforcement, strategic collaboration, and industry innovation. Let’s take them one after the other.
First is strengthening the Local Content Enforcement. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has done a commendable job. We need to ensure that oil and gas operators prioritize indigenous companies for projects, particularly in areas where local expertise and facilities are already available. For instance, Solewant Group’s state-of-the-art pipeline coating and fabrication facilities are designed to meet international standards. Yet, without consistent enforcement of local patronage, facilities like ours and others may remain underutilised.
Secondly, the government and regulatory bodies can incentivize international oil companies (IOCs) and other key players to engage local manufacturers. Tax rebates or concessions for companies that achieve a certain percentage of local content in their projects would encourage more partnerships with indigenous businesses.Thirdly, local companies need to collaborate more, whether through joint ventures, consortia, or other partnerships, to tackle larger projects. Solewant Group, for example, has successfully partnered with both international and indigenous companies to deliver world-class solutions. By pooling resources and expertise, local businesses can enhance their competitiveness and meet the scale demanded by larger projects.
One of the major constraints for many local companies is the lack of access to affordable financing and cutting-edge technology. The government, in partnership with financial institutions, can establish special intervention funds targeted at the manufacturing and fabrication sectors. Additionally, capacity-building initiatives in technology transfer can help local companies adopt innovative solutions that improve their competitiveness.
The fifth issue is that many operators are unaware of the capabilities that exist within Nigeria. Regular exhibitions, like the Solewant Energy Summit, can provide platforms for local companies to showcase their products and services. Highlighting success stories and proven local solutions will instil confidence among potential clients and stakeholders. Finally, addressing infrastructure deficits, streamlining regulatory processes, and ensuring policy consistency are crucial. When businesses operate in a stable and predictable environment, it becomes easier to attract both local and international clients.