Lewis Tung is a Chinese businessman and Director of Nigerian Enamelware Company, which was incorporated in Nigeria in 1960.
His father, John Tung was the first Chinese businessman to arrive in Nigeria in 1960 to do business in the country. Although he was already successful in Hong Kong, he came to Nigeria in search of bigger market for their enamelware products. John Tung established Universal (Nigeria) Ltd, manufacturers of enamelware, kerosene lamps and stoves.
Lewis Tung and his brother, Robert Tung are the brains behind Western Metal Products Company Limited (WEMPCO), which is one of the largest manufacturing groups operating in Nigeria. The company which has been in Nigeria for over 40 years, produces building materials and associated products, as well as manufactures roofing sheets, galvanised pipes, wire nails, plywood, ceramic tiles and sanitary ware. It is also actively involved in agricultural and hospitality sectors through which it currently employs over 13,000 workers across its 11 subsidiaries.
Also, the Tungs are the owner of Oriental Hotel, a 5 star hotel in Lagos State, Nigeria. The hotel is a haven for top business individuals ands been greatly patronized by international guests in Nigeria since its inception about 50 years ago. Reports state that the Tung family own more than 90% interest.
The Chinese-born, US-trained entrepreneur heads a group that has made some of the biggest foreign direct investments in Nigeria in recent years.
WEMPCO has built a 700,000 metric tonnes per annum cold rolled steel mill complex at Magboro, Ogun State in addition to its existing investments in the country. The complex is a combined investment of about N344 billion on steel rolling mill, ceramic tiles plant and nail production. The steel mill, which is ranked the largest in Africa, has the capacity to roll out 65% of the 1.2 million tonnes of steel used annually in Nigeria, most of which is imported.
An additional investment made by the company, worth $250 million was to build a 50 megawatt gas fired power plant in order to ensure adequate and uninterrupted power supply. WEMPCO’s steel mill is expected to boost Nigeria’s capacity in the production of ocean vessels, train bodies, agricultural equipment, earth moving vehicles, coils, flat sheet for round/hollow/square pipes, household electronics casings such as refrigerators, air-conditioners, fan-blade/stands, washing machines, and microwaves, among others.
In 2016, Tung campaigned for Nigerians to patronise locally made goods and WEMCO Group had a vision to achieve 100% local sourcing of raw materials for its industries. The company was working on manufacturing cans for processed food and drinks, which should discourage importation of cans into the country.
Lewis Tung was previously employed as a Non-Executive Director by African Finance Corporation.