CEO Rone Wins New Telegraph, Daily Sun Newspaper 2025 Awards

The chief executive officer of UTM Offshore, Julius Rone, has been named New Telegraph Personality of the Year 2025 Award winner in recognition of his trailblazing role in transforming Nigeria’s gas sector, and the ‘Investor of the Year’ awardee by Daily Sun Newspaper.

Rone, widely referred to as the ‘Gas King’, has distinguished himself as a visionary entrepreneur whose leadership is driving one of the most ambitious energy projects in the country’s history.

At the heart of these recognitions is UTM Offshore’s pioneering Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project, the first of its kind in Nigeria.

The project is expected to produce 1.5 million tonnes of LNG annually for export and 300,000 tonnes of LPG for domestic consumption, a development poised to unlock a new phase of growth in Nigeria’s LNG industry and strengthen the nation’s position in the global energy market. The project is fully supported by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in line with Renewed Hope agenda and Nigeria First policy.

Rone’s ability to forge strategic partnerships has been a defining factor in the project’s success. In 2023, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) acquired a 20 per cent equity stake, while the Delta State Government secured 8 per cent, with UTM FLNG retaining 72 per cent ownership.

This collaboration underscored growing confidence in indigenous capacity and private-sector leadership in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The UTM FLNG facility, located at the Yoho field within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 104, will leverage 2.2 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves for over a 20-year period.

Situated about 60 kilometres offshore, the project exemplifies innovative gas monetisation, reducing waste while delivering cleaner energy solutions to both domestic and international markets.

Financing milestones further strengthened Rone’s profile as an industrialist of substance. Under his leadership, UTM Offshore secured Afreximbank as lead financier, raising $2 billion for Phase One of the project with an additional $3 billion commitment for Phase Two.

This achievement reflects strong investor confidence at a time when large-scale energy financing remains highly competitive.

Beyond the FLNG project, Rone’s career trajectory reflects decades of experience across public and private sectors.

From his early years at OMPADEC and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to his leadership of the UTM Group of Companies since 2008, he has consistently demonstrated administrative expertise, resilience, and deep understanding of the Niger Delta’s socio-economic landscape.

His emphasis on global standards and environmental responsibility also stood out. By engaging reputable international firms such as JGC Holdings, Technip Energies, and KBR, and conducting comprehensive environmental and social impact assessments, Rone has ensured the project aligns with international best practices while promoting sustainable development.

The New Telegraph Personality of the Year 2025 award ultimately celebrates Julius Rone as a symbol of indigenous innovation, strategic leadership, and national pride.

His work is not only reshaping Nigeria’s gas narrative but also inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs to believe in the power of Nigerian-led solutions to global challenges.