09 September 2016 - Demonstrating its revitalised strategy for the Africa region, global engineering and infrastructure advisory company Aurecon appointed Olugbenga Olumide Alao (OJ) Ajayi as Country Manager of Nigeria on 1 July 2016.

Previously a technical director and structural engineer in the company’s Lagos office for the last three years, Ajayi was responsible for the design coordination, client interface and contractual matters for property related projects in the country.

Emerging markets are considered to be key to delivering sustained growth for Aurecon and, as the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria offers considerable opportunities for infrastructure development. Nigeria can also be a complex and difficult market but the company is confident that its extensive experience in Africa, combined with the appointment of a strong team leader, will enable it to capitalise on the market’s potential.

“As Africa’s largest economy and a regional power on the continent, Nigeria features strongly in our business development strategy,” says Aurecon’s Ferdi Nell, Managing Director – Africa. “With his extensive project experience in Africa together with his proven leadership skills, Ajayi is well equipped to grow our Nigerian market.”

Ajayi holds a Master's degree in structural engineering from the University of Cape Town (South Africa). He is a registered professional engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). He is also a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

Before his move to Nigeria, Ajayi was involved in the concept and detail design of reinforced concrete structures for commercial, residential and hospital designs, as well as masonry and steel industrial structures in South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique and the United Arab Emirates. He also has considerable experience in urban/township design of stormwater and sewer reticulation, in addition to geometric designs of highways.

Some major projects that Ajayi has worked on include:

Nigeria

• Palms Mall extension, Lagos for Persianas Properties
• Nestlé distribution centre upgrade, Lagos for Nestlé Nigeria
• Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG), Rivers State for NLNG
• MainOne Cable Data Centre, Lagos for MainOne Cable Co.
• Detail design of Gombe Biu Road for Federal Ministry of Works
• Lagos-Ibadan Expressway for Bi-Courtney Highway Services

South Africa

• Meulwater Water Treatment Works, Western Cape Province for  Drakenstein Local Municipality
• Upgrade and extension of George Hospital Phase III, Western Cape Province for Department of Public Works
• ITEC Office, Free State Province for ITEC

Botswana

•   University of Botswana Teaching Hospital for University of Botswana

Asked to sum up the prospects for Aurecon in the Nigerian market, Ajayi said, “Although the business environment, in line with many of the world’s major economies, is going through a difficult phase, I am confident the Nigerian economy will bounce back and be more vibrant, delivering good growth opportunities for the company. Aurecon is adept at bringing ideas to life tailored to the local context, and clients respect the fact that we don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach.”