In a special edition to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, The Guardian Newspaper has recognized Prince Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, the Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation Science and Technology as one of the 65 Most Inspiring and Award-Winning Business Leaders in Nigeria. Dr Ezeh is the Prince of Mburubu Kingdom in Nkanu East Local Govt Area of Enugu State.
Dr. Ezeh’s story is a vivid illustration of how vision, resilience, and dedication can transform lives, communities, and entire sectors within Nigeria.
Prince Dr. Lawrence Ezeh’s rise to prominence in Nigeria’s business landscape is both inspiring and instructive. His beginnings were modest, marked by humble efforts and an unwavering drive to succeed despite the odds. In 2002, he founded Buzuzu International Limited, a company whose name carries a personal story.
“Buzuzu” was a childhood nickname he earned during his secondary school days, inspired by an actor he admired and a moniker he proudly wore while playing football. This early venture focused on providing essential services to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, primarily supplying industrial gases and delivering pipeline preservation and commissioning services. The company’s initial focus on critical support services laid the foundation for Dr. Ezeh’s future ventures and set a tone of reliability and quality that would become synonymous with his business brand.
Reflecting on those early years, Dr. Ezeh recalls the challenges vividly. “I started with no equipment, no capital, and no staff. It was just a vision and hard work,” he says. His story is not one of overnight success but rather a testament to patient and deliberate growth. Over the years, Buzuzu International Limited evolved and expanded its capabilities, eventually leading to the formation of Buzuzu Construction Company United. This transition was marked by significant achievements, including acquiring construction equipment and establishing a reputation for delivering on complex projects in the industrial sector.
The pivotal moment came in 2014 with the founding of Promat Coating Company Limited. This new entity was designed to specialize in a highly technical and demanding field: pipe and equipment coating. Coatings play a crucial role in protecting infrastructure from corrosion, fire, and environmental damage—factors that directly impact the safety and efficiency of Nigeria’s oil and gas operations. Promat was strategically developed through partnerships with international companies in the United Arab Emirates, Spain, and Poland, though these are independent entities. Dr. Ezeh intentionally aligned Promat Nigeria with these global players to position the company as a leader in its field, not only in Nigeria but across the continent.
Promat’s growth has been extraordinary.
The company is now recognized as Nigeria’s largest pipe coating firm, unmatched by any competitor in terms of scale, investment, and technical capacity. With over ₦10 billion invested in state-of-the-art coating equipment and facilities, Promat operates from a sprawling complex approved by the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB). The facility spans more than 50 plots of land and houses the company’s vast civil construction equipment. Its workforce numbers close to a thousand employees, a testament to the company’s role as a significant employer within the Nigerian industrial sector.
The coating process itself is meticulous and technically sophisticated. It begins with surface preparation, including abrasive blasting that removes impurities and restores the pipes’ surface to a state that ensures maximum adhesion of the protective layers. Depending on the project requirements, pipes receive multiple coats of specialized paints designed to withstand harsh conditions—ranging from fire protection to insulation against extreme cold or chemical exposure.
Promat’s reputation for delivering consistent, high-quality work has made it the go-to company for many of Nigeria’s oil and gas majors.
Beyond Nigeria’s borders, Dr. Ezeh has pursued an ambitious global vision for Promat. The company has already expanded into Mozambique, securing contracts with international giants such as Total Energies and Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited. These ventures have positioned Promat as a rising player on the international stage, setting the stage for further expansion into lucrative markets like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Côte d’Ivoire, and the United Arab Emirates. Central to this strategy is Dr. Ezeh’s commitment to ensuring that the bulk of Promat’s foreign workforce comprises Nigerian professionals, further enhancing Nigeria’s reputation as a source of top-tier industrial expertise.
Plans are also underway to take Promat public through a listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Dr. Ezeh believes that this move will not only provide the company with additional capital to fuel growth but also reinforce transparency and corporate governance standards that align with international best practices.
While Dr. Ezeh’s business successes are impressive on their own, they were tested severely during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis disrupted supply chains, stalled projects, and led many international oil and gas firms to suspend or scale down operations in Nigeria. Amid this uncertainty, Dr. Ezeh refused to compromise on his commitment to his employees and partners. Even when payments from clients were delayed or halted, he took extraordinary measures to maintain his workforce’s welfare.
Together with his wife—who also serves as his personal auditor—they sold personal assets, including landed properties and valuable collections, to ensure that salaries continued to be paid on time.
“This was not just about business,” Dr. Ezeh explains. “It was about keeping hope alive for the people who have dedicated their lives to this company. They are not just employees; they are family.” His experience during the pandemic reinforced his business philosophy that diversification is essential. “No one should rely on a single source of income,” he stresses.
“Multiple streams provide stability and a buffer against economic shocks.”
In 2023, Dr. Ezeh answered a different kind of call—to public service. Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah appointed him as Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology in Enugu State. This role marked a significant shift from the private sector to government but reflected a shared vision for transformative leadership. Historically, the ministry had been marginalized and viewed as a political dumping ground. Dr. Ezeh set out to change that perception by aggressively promoting technological innovation and entrepreneurship within the state.
Under his stewardship, Enugu has seen the launch of the Enugu Tech Festival, which has attracted thousands of tech entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators to the region. The festival has become a key platform for networking, showcasing startups, and attracting investment, sparking a burgeoning tech ecosystem in a state once seen primarily as a government employment hub. Several tech hubs and incubation centers have emerged, offering young people opportunities to develop skills, create businesses, and contribute to economic growth.
The ministry is also pioneering practical innovations such as the Enugu Stove, an eco-friendly cooking device that uses smokeless, decarbonized coal briquettes. This invention aims to reduce indoor air pollution and promote sustainable energy solutions, directly addressing health and environmental challenges faced by many Nigerian households.
Despite holding a high-profile government position, Dr. Ezeh remains grounded and focused on service. “I am comfortable with my official salary,” he states plainly. “My drive is not financial gain but impact—creating real opportunities and improving lives in Enugu and beyond.”
He is a strong advocate for ending what he calls the “civil servant syndrome” among Nigeria’s youth, where political patronage and government employment are viewed as the only viable paths to success. Under Governor Mbah’s leadership and Dr. Ezeh’s guidance, Enugu is making a deliberate shift towards fostering entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, and economic diversification. The administration’s ambitious goal is to reduce poverty in the state to zero by creating sustainable employment opportunities and encouraging self-reliance.
Prince Dr. Lawrence Ezeh’s journey from a young entrepreneur with a vision to a respected business magnate and public servant serves as an inspiring model for Nigeria’s next generation of leaders. As a traditional prince, he embodies the rich cultural heritage of his kingdom while simultaneously charting a forward-looking course in industry and governance.
His story is a powerful reminder that success is neither accidental nor guaranteed—it is forged through perseverance, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to serve a greater good. His achievements underscore the transformative power of blending private sector innovation with public sector responsibility.
Looking ahead, Dr. Ezeh remains optimistic about the future. With Promat’s expansion plans across Africa and the Middle East, ongoing technological innovation projects in Enugu, and a growing influence in governance, his impact is set to deepen. “The best is yet to come,” he affirms. “Nigeria’s future lies in our ability to innovate, collaborate, and lead with integrity.”
As Nigeria celebrates its 65 years of independence, the recognition of Prince Dr. Lawrence Ezeh among the country’s most inspiring business leaders underscores a hopeful narrative—one where visionary leadership, grounded in resilience and service, can propel the nation toward sustainable growth and prosperity.
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