Nigeria’s industrial landscape has once again turned its spotlight on Kresta Laurel Limited, a name now synonymous with resilience, innovation, and enduring impact in the nation’s infrastructure evolution. Marking 35 years of consistent excellence, the engineering giant has earned presidential recognition for its role in transforming Nigeria’s urban architecture.
In a message conveyed through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hailed the company’s journey as “a story of perseverance, visionary management, and faith in the Nigerian dream.” He noted that Kresta Laurel’s success, built over three and a half decades, mirrors the government’s push for sustainable growth through private-sector innovation.
Founded in 1990 and incorporated six years earlier, Kresta Laurel has established itself as a trailblazer in the elevator, escalator, and crane systems industry—operating across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Ibadan. Its recognition as a recipient of the African Order of Merit in Cranes, Escalators, and Elevator Technology further cements its continental influence.
At the heart of the celebrations, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, lauded the firm’s longevity, calling it “a rare achievement in a sector defined by constant technological evolution.” She emphasized that its three-and-a-half-decade journey highlights the importance of innovation and strong leadership in Nigeria’s industrial ecosystem.
Also joining in the commendations, Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, described the company’s evolution as “a reflection of indigenous enterprise at its finest.” Speaking during the company’s 35th Anniversary Gala in Lagos, he applauded Kresta Laurel’s role in powering Nigeria’s skyline.
“You have enabled modern architecture to touch the clouds,” Edun remarked. “Your work is the quiet foundation beneath our nation’s vertical growth.”
He urged the company and other players in the industry to embrace smart technologies, green innovation, and IoT-driven systems, noting that the next chapter of infrastructure development must align with sustainability.
Gbenga Daniel, Founder and Group Chairman of Kresta Laurel Limited, took a reflective tone as he recounted the firm’s early challenges and triumphs.
“We began with a conviction that African engineers could design and build systems that rival global standards,” he said. “Our mission has always been to strengthen Nigeria’s infrastructure with homegrown expertise.”
Daniel also underscored the company’s diversification into cranes, UPS systems, and façade access technology, which has positioned it as one of Nigeria’s most versatile engineering brands.
Echoing his sentiments, Managing Director Dideolu Falobi spoke about the company’s vision for the future.
“We’re proud of how far we’ve come, but the next 35 years will be about sustainability, renewable innovation, and empowering the next generation of Nigerian engineers,” he said. “No nation can truly rise if it imports every nut and bolt of its progress.”
From its modest beginnings to its present status as a multi-billion-naira enterprise, Kresta Laurel’s journey is a powerful reminder that homegrown engineering excellence remains the foundation of Nigeria’s development story—a story that continues to climb, one innovation at a time.