Who are Nigeria’s top indigenous construction companies and what makes them different?
This insight lists these companies and how they distinguish themselves by their technical expertise, project management capabilities and HSE performance.
Over the years, the construction industry of Nigeria has been dominated by foreign construction companies. However in recent times, several indigenous companies are progressively taking the lead to change this trend.
In practice, we observe more clients now consider indigenous construction companies as alternatives to foreign companies for construction projects. This trend is likely to continue especially with the current push for the enactment of a local content policy for the construction industry of Nigeria.
This analysis of the top indigenous construction companies in Nigeria are the results of: surveys conducted by Archvision Workgroup Limited, direct analysis of 80 shortlisted companies and our project experience with some of these top companies. Consequently, this review focuses on criteria used in evaluating contractors’ proficiency; especially for prequalification and bid evaluation for construction jobs while excluding their financial performance. These include:
– Technical ability
– Management capability
– Health and safety performance.
Looking ahead, we expect new players and game changers to join this list of top indigenous construction companies shaping the future of Nigeria’s construction industry.
Provided below is a review of these companies in no particular order:
1. CONSTRUCTION KAISER
Construction Kaiser is one of the most successful and respected indigenous construction companies in Nigeria. The company’s geographical reach has expanded over time from Port Harcourt to regional offices in Lagos and Abuja.
One of their greatest strengths lay in their vertical integration with their sister companies: M and E Kaiser Limited and Kaiser Lite. This strategy positions them for a larger market share when compared to other indigenous building contractors in Nigeria’s construction industry. This model has enhanced their turnkey capabilities and enables them bid concurrently for multiple projects in the industry.
The 580MW National Independent Power Project in Calabar, Uyo state is one of the company’s most famous projects.
Scope of Services and Operations
Construction Kaiser works within several core sectors in the construction industry including: residential, commercial, industrial and engineering construction sectors.
The company’s ability to compete with foreign construction companies for major civil and building projects is backed up with an extensive fleet of construction equipment including: concrete batching plants, tower cranes, mobile cranes, propriety formwork and concrete pumps.
Construction Kaiser is a member of the British Safety Council standing alongside the top-most internationally renowned piling contractors in Nigeria – Trevi Foundations. This membership is a reflection of Construction Kaiser’s commitment towards excellence in Health, Safety and Environment – a major advantage that has distinguished foreign construction companies operating in Nigeria.
Project Management
Construction Kaiser has focused over the years on developing a work environment that attracts and retains highly qualified and seasoned professionals within its project teams. This culture has enabled them produce consistent results in project delivery.
Projects
Construction Kaiser Limited has gathered a rich portfolio of clients across a large sector base of residential, commercial, industrial engineering construction projects. Some of these clients include:
• Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce
• Halliburton
• Sahara Energy
• British American Tobacco
• MTN MasterCard
• Total E&P Nig Ltd
• and several commercial banks in Nigeria
2. FORMWORK LIMITED
Formwork Limited, incorporated in 1993, aims to be the best builders and designers on the African continent and all evidence prove that they are actively pursuing this vision. They are the first indigenous construction company in Nigeria to build a shopping mall. In the past, this contract type used to be the exclusive preserve of foreign construction companies like Cappa and D’Alberto. Formwork Limited has in recent times established itself as one of the leading building construction companies in Nigeria.
Formwork Limited constructed the Owerri Mall completed in March 2016 with estimated completion cost of 15 billion naira. The mall has a gross lettable area of 9,950m²
Scope of Services and Operations
The company is actively involved in construction of residential, commercial, institutional and institutional projects in Nigeria. They also take on design-build projects.
The construction operations of Formwork Limited are supported by: their construction yard situated in Lagos State, a specialist joinery workshop and a fleet of construction equipment.
Unlike most building construction companies in Nigeria, Formwork limited has a highly developed positive safety culture implemented on their construction sites. This culture is promoted by a dedicated team responsible for strengthening governance, oversight and compliance of HSE on all their projects.
Project Management
In managing their projects, Formwork Limited has senior management staffs dedicated to handling cost control, time management, and program controls. Their robust project implementation plans match international standards and are equivalent with the submissions made by foreign construction companies in Nigeria.
Projects
Formwork Limited, has a portfolio of high profile projects completed in several parts of Nigeria including: Owerri, Asaba, Umuahia, Port-Harcourt, Ugep, Benin, Ota, Ado-Ekiti, Kaduna, Aba, Abuja and Lagos.
These projects include: banks, churches, hotels, shopping malls and residences.
Notable among projects completed by the company include:
• Abia Mall in Umuahia, Abia State
• Owerri Mall, Imo State
• Asaba Mall, Delta State
• Protea Hotel by Marriott Benin City Select Emotan, Edo State
In conclusion, Formwork Limited has positioned itself to compete favourably with foreign construction companies in Nigeria and we expect to see them win more competitive bids involving foreign construction companies.
3. MEGASTAR TECHNICAL AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
Megastar Technical and Construction Company is the most recognised construction company in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. With Headquarters in Rivers State, the company became active in the construction industry in 1997 and has clear intentions to be amongst the top building and civil engineering companies in Nigeria.
Megastar Technical and Construction Company is the only indigenous construction company that has undertaken a monorail project in Nigeria.
The company ranks among the very few indigenous construction companies to construct a building above 15 floors in Nigeria. They successfully outwitted foreign construction companies that bided for the 17-storey office complex of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Bayelsa State and won the contract at the cost of N27 Billion Naira.
Scope of Services and Operations
Megastar Nigeria Limited specializes in the delivery of projects across a broad range of construction sectors ranging from commercial, institutional, residential, Government and Industrial.
The company demonstrates its commitment to high standards of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) by being a member of the British Safety Council. Their competitive advantage in Nigeria’s construction industry is strongly influenced by the experience of their Managing Director, Harcourt Adukeh, a renowned architect and fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects who also has served in various capacities in Public Office.
In addition to this is their well-managed vertical integration strategy involving sister companies like Kinetic Electro Mechanic Nigeria Limited, Quality Build Center and Builders Merchants Limited.
Project Management
With numerous completed Government projects in their portfolio, Megastar exhibits rear project management capabilities especially in the areas of stakeholder management, change management and risk management. While their management philosophy supports a team approach to managing projects, how the company has successfully managed projects with a workforce of more than 1,000 people remains a subject of interest.
Projects
A few of the best projects executed by Megastar Nigeria Limited include:
• Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
• Negris Turbo machine
• Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Center, Uyo
• Jesuit Memorial College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
In conclusion, we observe two outstanding factors that distinguish Megastar Technical and Construction Company as a top indigenous construction company in Nigeria:
1. Their open approach to Foreign partnerships and collaboration on construction projects
2. Their courage to take on Government projects amidst its attendant challenges
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4. INTERKEL GROUP
Established in 1987 with headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, Interkel Group is among the few indigenous building contractors in Nigeria that has executed projects in several African countries. These countries include: Ghana, Gabon, Congo, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The company is structured along 2 lines of business: Construction Services and Engineering Services. This structure has enabled the company build a rich portfolio of projects simultaneously in several sectors of the Nigerian Economy.
Coupled with their in-depth experience and business acumen, the company has demonstrated financial strength and capacity to take on mega projects in Nigeria.
They were awarded the contract for the construction of the second phase of the new Ekiti State Governor’s Office at a contract sum of 2 billion naira
Scope of Services and Operations
Interkel Group operates in diverse market segments including oil and gas, power, construction, real estate and telecommunications. As a multi-service construction company, Interkel has completed several residential, industrial, commercial, institutional and infrastructure projects in Nigeria.
According to the group, operational excellence is a result of their unwavering commitment to continuous training and retraining of their valued staff members.
In view of the documented testimonials they have accumulated from major organizations, it can be deduced that they maintain a high level of quality and professionalism on their projects.
Projects
Notable among their clients include:
• British Council
• Embassy of the United States
• French Embassy
• British High Commission
• Bristow Helicopters
• St Saviors School
• Dangote Group
• Guinness Nigeria
• Cadbury Nigeria
• Main One cabling company
Some of Interkels largest projects in Nigeria include:
• SABMiller Brewery at Onitsha, Anambra Estate
• 9-Storey luxury apartments at Ikoyi, Lagos
• Petroleum Equalization Fund Building Abuja
• Fidelity Bank, Awolowo Road
• Crystal Life Assurance Building Victoria Island, Lagos
• Tastee Fried Chicken Head Office, Victoria Island, Lagos
• IBA ROAD NETWORKS FOR LAGOS STATE
In conclusion, Interkel Group’s business approach to management and its footprint in diverse market segments has so far contributed immensely to their success as a leading indigenous construction company in Nigeria.
5. BLUELINE URBAN PROJECTS LIMITED
Blueline Urban Projects is an indigenous construction company that prides itself on its track record of delivering projects with the same quality and performance obtainable from the leading foreign construction companies operating in Nigeria.
The clientele portfolio of Blueline Urban Projects includes Africa’s richest woman, Mrs Folorunso Alakija for whom they have completed several projects over the years.
Scope of Services and Operations
Blueline Urban Projects Limited specialises in building construction, civil engineering works and has been active in the construction industry of Nigeria since 2007.
Over the years they have focused on developing a construction management system that guarantees maximum performance on their projects. The company also partners with Prindex Properties on real estate developments; among their developments is 30/32 Apartments, Yaba, Lagos.
The company has a well-defined site operational strategy which emphasises the constant flow of communication among all levels of the organisation and the project team. Also observed in recent times is the companies’ increasing acquisition of construction equipment.
Project Management
Blueline Urban Projects limited has a dedicated Project Management Office (PMO) as part of their strategy towards delivering high performing projects consistently. Furthermore, the hands-on approach and project management expertise of their management team strengthens their position as a top performing indigenous construction company in Nigeria. The company adopts a client-centered approach to performing value engineering on their construction projects. This approach has endeared them to clients as dependable project partners.
Projects
Besides Mrs Folorunso Alakija, Blueline Urban Projects limited has completed construction projects for:
- Price Waters coopers (PWC)
- Discovery Gardens Lekki
- House on the Rock Church
- CMS Grammar School
- Corona Secondary School Agbara
- Ajayi Crowther University
- Poise Nigeria.
In conclusion, Blueline Urban Projects Limited needs to retain its management style which fosters quick decision making to strengthen its competitive advantage as one of the leading indigenous construction companies in Nigeria.
6. BRICKHOUSE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED
Brickhouse Construction Company Limited ranks among the top choice of leading project managers in Nigeria. Among the factors that distinguish as a top indigenous construction firm in Nigeria are their quality of delivery, attention to details and the professionalism of their project teams.
The company was incorporated in 1989 and by 1992 they had become active in the construction industry of Nigeria.
Brickhouse Construction Company Limited is best known in the industry for the quality of their jobs and the culture of excellence they exhibit which is rarely found among indigenous construction companies in Nigeria
The company has worked with some of the most respected architectural consultancy firms in Nigeria. Furthermore, the collective capacity of their project teams enable them deliver projects that fully reflect the desired design intent and project specific architectural goals.
Brickhouse Construction Company Limited completed the construction of 117-room Protea select hotel at Alausa Ikeja estimated at 3 Billion Naira in 2014
Scope of Services and Operations
Brickhouse Construction Company provides the full scope of building construction services and is active in the residential, commercial, institutional and hospitality sectors of Nigeria.
On their construction sites, the company applies rigorous standards and HSE policies at a level replicated by only few indigenous construction companies in Nigeria. They also have an impressive asset of equipment comparable to those utilised by foreign construction companies in Nigeria. Some of these equipment include: tower cranes, batching plants, Hoisting equipment, Excavators, pay loaders and dumpers.
Project Management
The company has built a reputation for excellence in Nigeria’s construction industry as a trusted and dependable construction company with consistent performance on their projects. This achievement is a result of their strong focus on integrating project management into their construction activities.
Their emphasis on planning, organization and programming at inception and all through project phases is reflected in the orderliness of their construction sites and the construction methodologies they employ.
Projects
Some of the notable projects of Brickhouse Construction Company include:
- 9-storey Reddington Hospital Complex on Idowu Martins St, Victoria Island, Lagos
- Lagoon Hospital Development, Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos
- Protea Select Hotel, Alausa Ikeja Lagos
- Protea Leadway hotel (now Leola Hotel) Maryland Estate, Lagos
- Best Western, Lagos Ikeja Hotel, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.
- Travel House Hotel Development for Moore House Properties, Lekki, Lagos
- Porsche Centre at Victoria Island, Lagos
- Island Community Mosque at Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lagos
- 5 Storey Luxury Apartments at Lekki Phase 1 Lagos.
- 33 Number Semi Detached Houses, Mambilla Estate, Osborne Foreshore, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Conclusion
While there are many other indigenous construction firms executing major capital projects, only few can be listed as top indigenous construction companies in Nigeria. Some major areas where most of these other indigenous construction companies fall short of their foreign counterparts are: Equipment Ownership,Compliance levels to HSE standards, Organizational structure and Financial capacity.
Finally, as the construction industry in Nigeria evolves we expect to see more indigenous construction firms rising to the top and bridging the gaps that exist between them and their foreign competitors.
Do you think we left out a company? Leave a feedback or send us an email and we would look into them.
At ArchVision Workgroup, we tailor our services to all clients with an in-depth understanding of local intricacies; and by using proven methods, we guarantee repeatable, consistent and long term success on all projects we manage.
Dear Sir/Ma,
LETTER OF INTRODUCTION
I am writing this letter to introduce Genesys Engineering Services Ltd to you,
Genesys Engineering Services Ltd is an indigenous company, incorporated in Nigeria, with her office in Lagos, Asaba and Ogun state who is in the business of providing power solutions that includes;
a) Sales, supply and maintenance of diesel generators
b) Sales and supply of electric power transformers
c) Complete Solar solutions
d) Energy/check meters for estates
e) Sales, installation and servicing of AC
f) Supply of fire extinguishers
g) Power audit and Engineering consulting
h) Facility managements
We also have a broad network of business partnership with manufacturers OEMs, dealers, suppliers, consultants etc. Our client base is not limited to DD CENTRUM (ASABA), WEMA BANK (ASABA) LAGOS STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD, BRIDIAN HOTEL (Sapele) JENNYS GLOW (Benin) BRAMAJ FOOD & BEVERAGE etc.
Genesys Engineering Services Ltd (GESL) is set to provide premium power solutions for both long- and short-term projects, supplies and consulting services for your budget. We aim to satisfy your organization with the perfect solution and also establish a long-term relationship. With providing our solutions, we are very cautious of the need of safety and as such, our standard is designed to protect the health of our customers and workers.
Kindly look through our company profile attached for more on our products, services and values. We hope our services are intriguing to warrant an official
meeting as we are determined to work with your organization.
Thank you, we look forward to a fruitful and promising working liaison in the future.
Why are companies like MO and A , and Ove Arup absent on this list?
Thank you for your feedback.
This article focuses on Indigenous Construction Companies.
MO and A is an indigenous Consulting Firm and not a Construction Company.
Over Up is Arup is a British multinational professional services firm headquartered in London. Though the Nigerian practice may be considered independent to a degree, the founder of the company Ove Arup is not Nigerian and hence cannot be considered as a truly indigenous construction company in Nigeria.
This article will be updated and other insightful articles on Project Management and Nigeria’s construction industry will be released.
My name is odumade temitope, I like the way you reply it is quite professional. However please I need employment with a reputable company. I possess a BSc in Building Tech and currently studying for MSc in Construction Management with over 10 years hands on experience.
APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF CIVIL ENGINEER
Hiring Team,
I hereby write this to seek for vacancy to work with your company being a graduate of Civil Engineering when available, as I’m willing to build up my career in the field of Engineering.
I am a young graduate of Civil Engineering, I have experience in site Supervision, structural and architectural design softwares. Such as Orion, AutoCAD, Revit architecture, Protastructure, Microsoft Excel.
Thanks in advance as I await your response.
I am JIMOH RIDWAN OLAMILAKAN.
09063210597
If you were to do a top 10 list would you include companies like Dutum Construction considering their recent projects like Purple Lekki and the headquarters of the Nigerian Medical Association?
Thank you for your effort to let me know most leading company in Nigeria.
Pls which company can allow me too do my 1year building and ciivil engineering Industrial Training.
What is required if an organization should partner with archvision workgroup
Compliments.of the season.kindly let know if you can give a good plan of event center and make the construction coherently.
Waiting for reply
Regards.
Ajibola
Yes.
We provide the full scope of services begining with feasibility studies where we evaluate the long term viability of your project and the Return on Investment with which we make recommendations accordingly.
We also coordinate the architectural, structural, M/E and the Specialists design stage up to town planning approval; and then coordinate the costing and negotiations for the works to ensure you get maximum value.
After these, we provide comprehensive project management services for the construction and post construction works ensuring the project is delivered on schedule, within budget and delivers the longterm benefits it was created for.
Send us an email with your brief and we will let you know how we can be of help.
Do we or have those that can build microbrewery and the plumbing involved, pipe laying etc.
Yes there are quite a number of mechanical/electrical contractors in nigeria that have these competencies.
Very insightful piece!
We also want the list of small players in the industry that can deliver low cost yet quality houses for the average income earners
Thank you.
We are looking into this.