In the face of recent criticisms questioning the credentials of Mr. Massad Boulos, the incoming Senior Adviser on Arab and Middle East Affairs to US President-elect Donald Trump, supporters have rallied to defend his track record of leadership and business acumen.
Among his most prominent achievements is his stewardship of SCOA Nigeria PLC, a company that has played a critical role in Nigeria’s economic and industrial development for over four decades.
The statement, issued by Magnus Onyibe, a Non-Executive Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee at SCOA Nigeria PLC, underscores Boulos’s vast contributions to Nigeria and beyond. Onyibe describes the criticisms as “misguided” and dismissive of the tangible successes the businessman has achieved, particularly in fostering partnerships and enabling large-scale infrastructure growth in Nigeria.
SCOA Nigeria PLC, where Boulos serves as Managing Director/CEO, is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial sector. Established in the 1970s as Nigeria’s first European automotive assembly plant, SCOA gained prominence for assembling iconic Peugeot 404 and 504 pickup trucks. Today, the company continues to play a pivotal role in the assembly and distribution of M.A.N trucks, buses, power generators, tractors, and heavy-duty equipment. These critical products serve as the backbone for Nigeria’s construction, agricultural, and mining sectors.
The company’s influence extends to major players in Nigeria’s infrastructure industry. SCOA has established itself as a trusted partner for firms like Julius Berger, Lafarge Africa PLC, Hi-Tech Construction, and the Dangote Group.
For instance, Julius Berger, Nigeria’s leading construction company, heavily relies on SCOA’s equipment for flagship projects like the 376-kilometer Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Similarly, Hi-Tech Construction depends on SCOA machinery to execute transformative projects, including the ambitious 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a critical artery designed to boost connectivity and economic activity across Nigeria.
One of the company’s crowning achievements has been its involvement in the Eko Atlantic City project, an urban development built on reclaimed land from the Atlantic Ocean. Envisioned as a solution to Lagos’s urbanization challenges, the project represents a marriage of innovation and sustainability. State-of-the-art machinery supplied by SCOA Nigeria PLC has played an instrumental role in the development of this landmark project, which is set to host the largest U.S. Embassy globally upon completion.
The project is more than symbolic. It underscores SCOA’s contribution to urban renewal, infrastructure, and economic growth in Nigeria, further highlighting Boulos’s strategic leadership.
Beyond Nigeria, SCOA’s parent company, the Fadoul Group, is a testament to the scale and scope of Boulos’s influence. Established in 1966, the Fadoul Group is one of the most successful family-owned businesses in Africa, with operations spanning West and Central Africa. The group employs over 20,000 people and boasts an asset value exceeding $1 billion.
According to Onyibe, Mr. Boulos’s role in expanding SCOA’s partnerships with international businesses from France and Germany has cemented his reputation as a “deal-maker.” One such example was the supply of a significant truck fleet to Lafarge Africa through a partnership with logistics firms and financial institutions, underscoring his ability to deliver mutually beneficial results.
The recent claims in media questioning Boulos’s credentials have been met with strong rebuttals. Onyibe describes the assertion that Boulos is not a billionaire as “baseless and misleading.” He also aligns with President-elect Donald Trump’s description of Boulos as a “deal-maker,” emphasizing his proven track record of navigating complex international business environments.
“Efforts to denigrate Mr. Boulos’s qualifications and achievements are not only futile but also a disservice to the facts,” Onyibe states. He argues that Boulos’s leadership at SCOA and the Fadoul Group, combined with his ability to mobilize the Arab-American vote during the U.S. election, makes him well-suited for his new advisory role under Trump.
Massad Boulos’s story, as highlighted through SCOA Nigeria PLC’s contributions, extends far beyond boardrooms and press statements. Under his leadership, the company has been integral to Nigeria’s infrastructural growth, playing a role in landmark projects that enhance connectivity, trade, and urban development.
The support from Magnus Onyibe and the broader business community underscores the trust and recognition Boulos commands as both a businessman and strategist. As he takes on his new role advising the U.S. President-elect, his legacy of leadership and economic impact remains undeniable.
The mark left by Massad Boulos at SCOA in Nigeria and Fadoul Group’s broader influence across Africa,serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of business leadership and economic development on a global scale.
