Indigenous engine oil manufacturer, Bolt Super Lubricant, says it is steadily gaining traction in the country’s competitive lubricant market.

Executives of the company project wider national and regional expansion based on what they term as a high-quality, Nigerian-blended product tailored for the local environment.

Speaking at the just-concluded West Africa Automotive Show in Lagos, the company’s Head of Operations, Amaka Ogbuagu, described Bolt Super Lubricant’s engine oil products as a response to quality gaps in the local lubricant market, particularly among foreign and some domestic brands.

According to her, many motorists who use imported products often encounter issues such as oil burnouts, during medium-range trips.

“You fill your car, go to Benin City from Lagos and back, and it’s still the same. No engine rust, no black oil,” she said.

Backed by Sochi Energy, a Nigerian-owned company with a blending facility in Mowe, Ogun State, its local manufacturing base gives it a price advantage, Ogbuagu noted. Although she was quick to clarify: “It is not exactly cheap. But for what is inside, it is affordable when compared to so-called foreign lubricants.”

Addressing comparisons with some already established indigenous brands, the brand’s head of operations insisted that any product on the company’s staple list stood out due to its formulation.

“Some of these oils do not have what Bolt has. Many in the market are terrible – your engine oil oxidises quickly and turns black. That was what inspired the birth of Bolt.,” she said.

While the company shares a name with the global ride-hailing firm, Bolt, Ogbuagu clarified there was no affiliation, saying, “For now, nothing connects us, but maybe in the future. The name came from the idea of speed and strength – like a lightning bolt.”

According to Bolt’s Marketing Manager, Chinagozim Onuoha, the product is available in Lagos, Anambra, Enugu and Delta states, as well as in Abuja, and recently in Plateau State.

He said: “We have started creating significant market impact, especially in the last two years.

“In some regions where we have strong distribution, we have taken as much as 70 per cent of the market share. Some others are at 40 per cent, and a few areas even higher.”

While exact production capacity figures were not disclosed, Onuoha said the company was ramping up presence through partnerships with transport operators, bonded terminals, and haulage firms.

On product range, the marketing manager listed a variety of Stock Keeping Units suited for petrol and diesel engines as well as for industrial use. These include SAE 40, 20W50, 15W40 cf-4, ci-4, 85W90(manual gear oil), ATF Dexron ii, ATF Dexron iii, 85W140(Axle Oil), Hydraulic 68, and many more.