How HSI’s concept can address Nigeria’s economic problems __Chike Nwosu
Sopuruchi Onwuka
In the video clip that follows shortly, you will hear Mr Chike Nwosu speaking on how scalable downstream petroleum processing investments can power industrial parks and trigger expansion of the capacity of clustered businesses to absorb and train more youths for decent employment.
He was not just making a wish or advising government on what to do. He is also laying out both plans and capital for powering congenial amenity-enhanced industrial parks that would grow on the back of abundant petroleum energy resources.
And his company, HIS Energies, is in the lead of unfolding collaborations with local authorities across the country to invest hundreds of million dollars in developing highly diversified downstream processing industry that would capture the full economic benefits of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources.
He specifically speaks on refineries; gas-to-liquid plants; gas fired captive electricity generation and utilization facilities; the spur on industrial development; and expansion of capacity for job creation.
Those in the petroleum industry know him very well. For those who read about him here, who is Mr Chike Nwosu?
Chikezie or Chike Nwosu is one of the country’s most respected energy industry executives who is best remembered for piloting Nigeria’s most successful integrated petroleum industry development, production and processing operations in most challenging sites in south east Nigeria.
He insists the answer to the country’s stubborn unemployment crisis lies in scaling up domestic refining, petrochemical plants, and integrated energy hubs to turn oil wealth into jobs, manufacturing capacity, and industrial growth.
In speaking with over three decades in leadership roles across upstream, midstream, downstream, and renewable energy sectors, Chike laments that Nigeria’s over-reliance on crude exports has stifled value creation within its borders. He explains that scaling domestic refining, petrochemicals, and related industries will not only diversify the economy but also trigger industrial growth and workforce expansion.
He also maintains that every stage of the downstream value supports multiple layers of employment, drives both energy security and inclusive economic growth.
As former Managing Director of Waltersmith Petroman Limited, Nwosu led the development of Nigeria’s successful Ibigwe modular refinery and the UNIDO supported Eco Industrial Park in Imo State, projects that created direct and indirect jobs while providing a model for scalable local refining and providing congenial hub for renewable energy manufacturing and heavy industries.
Chike Nwosu believes that robust downstream industry can act as a bridge in Nigeria’s energy transition, using existing hydrocarbon resources to power industrialization while progressively integrating renewables.
