Funke Babs-Kufeji pays glowing tribute to Alfred Okoigun, a renowned businessman who not only built a successful company, but proved that Nigeria has the talent, skills and vision to stand alongside the best in the world
Alfred Okoigun’s life work is a testament that serving one’s country does not always mean holding public office. Sometimes, the most impactful service comes from private enterprises that uplift communities, empower individuals, and strengthen a nation’s self-reliance. For over 40 years, Okoigun has proven that a businessman can also be a nation builder, showing that patriotism is not just about words but about taking meaningful action in areas like oil and gas, education, and youth development.
When he started ARCO Petrochemical Engineering in 1980, he believed Nigerians could take the lead in the oil and gas servicing sector. Over the years, he transformed the company into ARCO Group Plc, a diverse enterprise spanning maintenance and engineering, marine logistics, asset integrity, and advanced security technologies. This growth was not by chance but rooted in Okoigun’s conviction that Nigeria’s energy sector should rely on its own talent and infrastructure. By pioneering turbine maintenance alongside global giants like General Electric and Siemens, ARCO challenged the long-standing belief that only foreign contractors could deliver complex technical services.
Early in his career, Okoigun organised the first Gas Reinjection Seminar at the Petroleum Training Institute in Warri in 1982. That landmark event pushed the issue of gas flaring into the national spotlight and helped shape penalties against the wasteful practice. It was a bold move for a young engineer and set the stage for a career that went far beyond running a successful company. From the beginning, he advocated policies that would protect national resources while creating opportunities for Nigerians to take ownership of their industries.
The journey of ARCO has been marked by deliberate moves to strengthen Nigeria’s presence in key sectors. By acquiring a majority stake in Sulzer Pumps Nigeria, Okoigun returned advanced engineering capacity to local hands. The complete Nigerianisation of ARCO Marine’s fleet proved that indigenous operators could compete with top offshore logistics companies. The launch of Nigeria’s first licensed Drone Academy under ARCO Worldwide Services further underscored his forward-looking vision, ensuring Nigerians are equipped to lead in new technologies. Each initiative was about more than corporate expansion. It was about laying foundations for local content, skill transfer, and long- term national progress.
At the heart of Okoigun’s mission has always been people. Throughout ARCO’s history, the company has sponsored engineers for international training, built partnerships with original equipment manufacturers to ensure knowledge sharing, and invested heavily in building local expertise in turbine and compressor systems. Many of those trained now hold senior technical roles across the country, reinforcing his long- standing belief that the best investment any nation can make is in its people.
His vision has stretched beyond engineering. Okoigun has supported initiatives that showcase Nigerian excellence on global platforms. He sponsored the NEST Awards in London, honouring leaders like Professor Bart Nnaji and Dr. Oviemo Ovadje for their groundbreaking work. In 2025, ARCO Group became the first private-sector sponsor of the National Diaspora Merit Award at NiDCOM’s Diaspora Day, where Nigerian STEM educator Voke Ogueh was recognised for her outstanding achievements in the United States. These efforts reflect his conviction that Nigerians must not only thrive at home but also gain recognition abroad.
Youth empowerment and sports have also been central to his journey. Through ARCO’s support of the “Making of Champions” programme, athletes like Joy Udo-Gabriel have risen to represent Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games. For Okoigun, investing in education and sports is not a departure from engineering but a natural extension of his principle of creating opportunities for Nigerians to excel, whatever their field.
His leadership is seen in ARCO Group’s various milestones: over ten million man-hours without a lost time injury for Nigeria LNG, a marine fleet that has expanded to ten vessels with a target of fifteen by 2026, and more than 7,000 air-hours of licensed drone operations certified by the NCAA. Yet, what stands out most is not just these achievements but the lives touched along the way, the young engineers trained, the students encouraged, and the athletes supported. For Okoigun, a thriving business must also be an engine for social progress.
It is no surprise that he is a Fellow of both the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Petroleum Training Institute. His contributions have echoed in major industry forums, from the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria to the Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference. At every turn, he has pushed for stronger local participation, better policies on local content, and recognition of Nigerian talent at every level.
Looking back on more than four decades of leadership, Alfred Okoigun’s story is more than that of a businessman who built a successful company. It is the story of a man determined to prove that Nigeria has the talent, skills, and vision to stand alongside the best in the world. He recognised early that private enterprise could be a powerful form of public service. His life shows that building a stronger nation is not only the role of government but the responsibility of every citizen willing to rise to the challenge.
Today, as ARCO Group continues to thrive, its foundation remains tied to Okoigun’s original vision: a Nigeria where those with talent, determination, intelligence and creativity are lifted up and empowered to lead. His legacy is one of enterprise, education, empowerment, and national service. It is the story of a man who chose to build not just a company but a vision. The result of his hard work and vision shows that the most enduring legacies are those rooted in purpose, commitment, and the desire to leave the world better than it was found.
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