At a Glance
- Ahonsi Unuigbe appointed chairman of Marconi.NG EPC, strengthening Nigeria’s energy leadership.
- Marconi.NG operates West Africa’s most advanced fabrication yard for oil, gas, and renewables.
- Petralon Energy CEO brings financial expertise and energy insight to new EPC role.
Nigerian energy mogul Ahonsi Unuigbe, founder and CEO of Petralon Energy, has been appointed chairman of Marconi.NG EPC Limited, emerging as one of the most recognizable names in Nigeria’s energy and corporate circles.
The move goes beyond another title on his résumé. It places him at the intersection of industrial capacity, local content, and energy security.
From banking halls to oilfields
Marconi.NG, once the Eni/Saipem EPC division, runs West Africa’s largest fabrication yard, offering engineering and project management services across oil, gas, and renewables.
Its new chairman, Ahonsi Unuigbe—who is also chairman of Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and sits on the board of Canada’s Africa Oil Corp—brings a rare mix of boardroom experience, industry insight, and capital markets expertise to the role.
Unuigbe’s career began far from the energy yards he now oversees. After studying in Nigeria, he built his early years in investment banking and private equity before turning to the energy sector, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
He went on to found Petralon Energy, one of the country’s leading independents, to unlock marginal oil fields. His most notable play was Dawes Island Field in Rivers State, a block discovered almost 50 years ago but long left undeveloped.
At the helm of Marconi.NG
Marconi.NG, once part of Eni and Saipem, operates the Rumuolumeni fabrication yard in Port Harcourt. It is regarded as the most advanced of its kind in West Africa, able to deliver offshore platforms, subsea systems, and renewable energy modules.
By appointing Unuigbe, Marconi’s shareholders are signaling confidence in a leader who can pair financial knowledge with operational experience. “This appointment is a natural extension of our work at Petralon Energy,” he said. “Both companies share a commitment to local content, a belief in the power of strategic partnerships, and a drive to create lasting value for all stakeholders. I look forward to partnering with Marconi’s shareholders and leadership team as well collaborate to build on their decades of experience to drive the company’s next phase of growth.”
Unuigbe’s new role supports three national priorities: enforcing local content under the Petroleum Industry Act, strengthening energy security through domestic capacity, and positioning Nigeria as a hub for regional projects.
Ahonsi Unuigbe drives Petralon growth
Ahonsi Unuigbe’s new role comes as he expands Petralon Energy’s reach. Under his leadership, the company has become a key player in Nigeria’s energy sector. Earlier this month, Petralon resumed production at the Dawes Island Field in Rivers State, a site discovered 46 years ago and awarded as a marginal field 22 years ago. The project supports Nigeria’s “Project One Million Barrels,” which counts on local firms to lift output.
At the NGX, where Unuigbe chairs the board, the market has posted strong gains. Investor participation, foreign exchange reforms, and high-yielding stocks have pushed the total value of listed equities and bonds to nearly $100 billion (N140.15 trillion). Equities account for $59.7 billion (N89.06 trillion), while debt instruments stand at $34.3 billion (N51 trillion).
Unuigbe is also building global links. His July visit to the Dubai Financial Market sought to deepen Nigeria-UAE business ties, showing a hands-on push for cross-border collaboration.
