Chief Executive Officer of UTM Offshore, Julius Rone, has kickstarted the year 2026 on a high note, clinching two prestigious awards: New Telegraph Personality of the Year 2025 and The Sun Newspaper’s Investor of the Year. These accolades further cement his status as a transformative force in Nigeria’s energy landscape.
Popularly dubbed the “Gas King,” Rone’s recognition is anchored on his visionary leadership of Nigeria’s first Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project—an ambitious and groundbreaking initiative poised to redefine the country’s standing in the global energy market.
The energy tycoon possesses an exceptional depth of insight and a profound understanding of investment dynamics, consistently making headlines and staying ahead of his peers. His remarkable qualities clearly distinguish him from conventional business magnates across the continent.
Rone’s presence in the gas sector has been dominant, leaving an indelible mark wherever he ventures and firmly positioning him at the pinnacle of Nigeria’s gas industry. His rich and diverse entrepreneurial journey has played a significant role in shaping Africa’s business landscape, marked by a series of ventures that have contributed meaningfully to economic growth in the region.
The UTM Offshore FLNG facility is designed to deliver 1.5 million tonnes of LNG for export and 300,000 tonnes of LPG for domestic consumption annually. The project, strongly supported by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration under the Renewed Hope agenda, represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s gas monetisation strategy.
Rone’s professional career includes influential roles at the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), before he assumed leadership of the UTM Group of Companies in 2008. His leadership philosophy blends operational excellence with environmental responsibility, working with reputable international partners such as JGC Holdings, Technip Energies, and KBR, while ensuring strict adherence to environmental impact assessments.
The twin honours have further reinforced Rone’s standing as a standout businessman among Africa’s elite. His sharp intuition, exceptional business acumen, and rare ability to identify opportunities where others see challenges have propelled him to the forefront of the continent’s energy and investment space.
