Jarmakani’s death, a huge loss to Nigeria’s special economic zone family, says NEPZA boss

The Managing Director of Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) , Professor Adesoji Adesugba, has described the exit of Anwar Jarmakani, the founder and Executive Chairman of Jagal Conglomerate, owners of Nigerdock FZE, as a huge loss to special economic zone family in Nigeria.

In a statement signed by him, Adesugba said Nigeria has lost “a true patriot, a committed citizen, a passionate industrialist and a strong believer in Nigerian industrialisation efforts.

” His passionate desire to see Nigeria overcoming its industrial and developmental challenges knows no boundary and his readiness to support government’s efforts to deploy various instruments for national development is indeed legendary.

“In the drive of Nigerian government to expand special economic zones for development, the late industrialist was a leading support , offering all his goodwill and networks to ensure realisation of governments agenda.

“He is to me a forward thinking person, an older brother and mentor whose idea was to revolutionize the free zone scheme in Nigeria. Our plans for private sector involvement for active and free zone system second to none in Nigeria shall continue. He was one of the founding fathers of the Nigeria Special Economic Zones Association. His contribution is immeasurable and I will continue to miss him,” Adesugba noted.

The managing director disclosed that the late industrialist was fully supportive of the Federal Government’s efforts to reform and expand the free zones, adding that “in him, we found a supportive industrialist who places national interest above personal business gain and who strived at all time to promote compliance with official stipulations and regulations.”

Nigerian international investor was the head of the Jarmakani business dynasty in Nigeria and founder and executive chairman, Jagal Group – a conglomerate that operates leading energy businesses and manages a diverse portfolio of investments in Nigeria.

He was a self-made industrial entrepreneur, who came to Nigeria in 1963 from Syria. He is part of the first generation of private sector pioneers in the post independent Nigeria. He holds a track record of relentless ambition, vision, leadership and integrity.

Jarmakani started the company in 1973 and began with construction and real estate development. By 1980s, he had expanded investments into the health, hygiene and home sectors through partnerships with multinationals brands. He has profound knowledge and deep local experience in Nigeria as a naturalized citizen of Nigeria.

By the late 1990s, Jarmakani had further extended operations to the energy sector working with key actors in the oil and gas industry. It established partnerships in the upstream sector with major operators such as Sinopec, Fred Olsen and SmitLamnalco among other multinationals.