• Wednesday, May 01, 2024
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BusinessDay

Tunde Adeoti: Driving innovation, and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism through Megawatts Nigeria

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Megawatts Nigeria Limited, an electrical and mechanical contracting firm incorporated in Nigeria over a decade ago, we are an ISO 9001:2015 certified organization and a member of British safety council. We are established with an aim to provide our private and commercial clients with highly professional and technical expertise, paying attention to details with proper health, safety and environmental controls in place while the clients budget is met.

Our head office is located here in Lagos, a branch in Abuja and we shall, by the first quarter of 2024, be inaugurating our Port-Harcourt office and this will enable us to serve clients across all regions.

We are made up of young and dynamic personnel which cuts across all disciplines. We have over 400 highly skilled and experienced staff, and this has given us the ability to execute fast-track electrical and mechanical construction works for various sectors, be it oil and gas, manufacturing, hospitality, Health care, Data centers, but not limited to the mentioned sectors.

Megawatts has established for itself strengths through its core values of unique on-time delivery of its services and up to date technology, through honest and professional communication while always placing the desires and needs of the client as priority.

Our continued growth and successes lie in our customer feedback process and the several abilities of our hands-on employees, from the planning and design stage of any project, to the challenges on each project through to its completion; and our after sales services where necessary service maintenance of such projects are not left out.

We at Megawatts believe in long-term partnerships with our clients to provide unique and proven methods in accordance with relevant Standards and Codes to guarantee our clients receive the best-in-class solutions.

What business growth strategies have contributed in the company’s continued success?

Through the years, our company’s sustained success hinges on three pillars: Delayed gratification, human capacity development, strategic partnerships and collaborations with construction players and OEMs.

At the inception of the organization, we bootstrapped and grew organically and we were able to achieve this by applying the phenomenon of delayed gratification in all our endeavors by setting priorities right. At that time venture capitalist and angel investors were not that available as it is nowadays, so access to funding wasn’t easy so we grew by reinvesting all profits and proceeds from projects executed. And we have grown from a 3-man organization to a staff strength of over 400 employees.

Secondly our commitment to workforce development is evident through comprehensive training and the Megawatts Technical School, ensuring a skilled and innovative workforce.

Thirdly, partnerships with construction giants like architects, construction companies, project management and consulting firms, equipment distributors and many others has assisted us in expanding our network, offering expertise, resources, and market insights and driving rapid project growth.

These strategies fortify our organization, boosting efficiency, elevating project quality, and strengthening our market presence.

In your capacity as the Chief Executive Officer of Megawatts Nigeria, how well has the business performed in terms of attaining its objectives?

As the Chief Executive Officer of Megawatts Nigeria, I am proud to highlight that our business has demonstrated exceptional performance in attaining its objectives. Two years ago, we recalibrated our five year strategic plan and this cascaded from top to bottom to everyone in the organization and has been driving every one of us in the organization to be focused on our strategic vision and also relentlessly pursue excellence, and the periodic strategy sessions monitoring have contributed significantly to the overall success and growth of Megawatts Nigeria.

At the beginning of the year, we set out to increase our asset base by 50% which we were able to achieve. We also set out to increase our market share and revenue, that I will say we are close to and working towards achieving it.

We also set out to achieve 98% customer satisfaction at the minimum and I will confidently say we have achieved and even surpassed our expectations. Our dedication to client satisfaction has been a driving force. This client-centric approach has not only resulted in the successful completion of projects but has also fostered long-term relationships and client loyalty.

The passion and commitment of our team have played a pivotal role in our achievements. Their enthusiasm for embracing challenges, driving innovation, and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism have positioned Megawatts Nigeria as a leader in the industry.

Looking forward, our objectives include further expanding our footprints in local markets and venturing into new territories in Africa that is Accra and Nairobi by first quarter and second quarter 2024 respectively. These strategic initiatives align with our vision for regional growth and solidify our commitment to making a positive impact on a broader scale.

In summary, Megawatts Nigeria has performed exceptionally well in achieving its objectives, we are excited about the future and confident in our ability to continue delivering excellence in all aspects of our business.

Comparing the Nigerian professionals to their foreign counterparts in terms of quality service delivery, do you think the foreign professionals outperform Nigerians?

Thank you for your question and this question usually forms a major discussion among industry professionals but no one does speak up enough to be heard. Yes, there may be some few bad eggs among the Nigerian indigenous engineering contracting firms but as far as Megawatts Nigeria Limited is concerned we would say we are at par with the foreign counterparts in terms of performance and quality service delivery. We are the new kid on the block. We have proven track records; our customer satisfaction feedback survey speaks for itself. If you drive along Bourdillon road in Ikoyi which is like our own Beverly Hills and also surrounding environs on the island in Lagos we have our name on major projects with tower cranes spanning to between 15 to 25 floors in height. Most of these projects are by reference from a happy client in previous projects delivered.

Gone are the days where the MEP installations of high-rise buildings are earmarked for only the foreign companies to execute. We have recognized this disparity and we have been changing the narrative in the last 2 years we are hoping to close the gap and also make sure that indigenous engineering forms are considered for big tickets projects.

We are able to deliver such projects with the help of our dedicated project management office (PMO), we are ISO certified and that gives us the opportunity to be able to scale and provide quality service across all our projects and emerging as a key player in the industry.

What difficulties does your organization currently face in preserving a moral and ethical corporate environment?

Maintaining ethical standards at Megawatts faces challenges stemming from socio-economic factors, including economic disparities and changing social norms. External pressures, particularly economic uncertainties, can strain ethical practices, especially concerning material quality. Despite these challenges, we prioritize ethical conduct through continuous reinforcement and periodic quality management exercises aligned with ISO 9001:2015 standards.

Navigating complex regulatory frameworks requires vigilance, and we stay compliant by staying updated on legal changes. Our commitment is evident in our organizational culture of compliance, crucial for adhering to due process standards. We address challenges through ongoing ethics training, fostering integrity and open communication channels for employees to voice concerns without fear of reprisal. These challenges serve as opportunities for continuous improvement, reinforcing our dedication to ethical conduct, social responsibility, and due process across all operations.

Can you share some of your organization’s landmark accomplishments over the years?

Sure. In 2010, Megawatts Technical School was inaugurated for MEP industry human capacity development, shaping future engineers.

In 2020, we achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification, solidifying our commitment to quality management.

Our CSR initiatives include Breast cancer awareness campaigns and the Eco-Power Initiative, showcasing our commitment to community health and environmental stewardship.

In 2023, we received the ‘Award of Excellence’ for the ‘Best Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Company’ on World Standards Day and at the National Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS).

These achievements reflect our dedication to industry leadership, sustainability, and societal impact, complemented by significant landmark projects.