The title of the popular motivational book – Tough Times Don’t last, Tough People Do – has succinctly manifested in the life of Matthew Tonlagha, the 50-year old entrepreneur and Chairman of Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited. The story of his life is a description of the typical rags-to-riches story of one who wasn’t fortunate to be born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but who now has the good fortune of choosing and alternating among silver, golden and diamond spoons to eat with.
Tonlagha had a tough childhood growing up in his Benikrukru community, in the Gbaramatu Kingdom of Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, having to confront, quite early in life, a health challenge that threatened to render him immobile. A mishandling of the treatment of polio at the age of three left him physically challenged, but not enough to discourage a child of destiny who has proved that there is ability in disability. He rose above his circumstance to become an inspiration to those who may think of giving up on life due to challenges. The health challenge was one that significantly delayed his education, forcing him to begin his educational pursuit long after his age mates had gone forward. But, as the saying goes, destiny can only be delayed; it can never be denied.
As if the health issue was not enough battle for a child to fight, he lost his soldier-father at an early age, a development that left him in the singular care of his mother, a lioness-hearted woman who was bent on ensuring the early setbacks did not derail her son’s life journey. With sheer grit and determination, she gave the young Matthew the tool he needed to excel in life – education – unarguably the best form of empowerment any parent can give their children.
With eyes firmly fixed on the ball, Tonlagha soldiered on, displaying remarkable brilliance academically and, in the process, showing early traits of leadership, at the Ugborikoko Secondary School, Effurun, near Warri, where he was a student leader entrusted with enormous responsibilities. These leadership traits would later earn for him the position of public relations officer of the Benikrukru Youth Development Movement, a position that brought out in him remarkable skills in negotiation, stakeholder engagement, corporate-community relations, etc – skills that would come in handy later in his professional life. It wasn’t surprising that at the young age, Tonlagha became a representative of his community dealing with Chevron Nigeria Limited, one of Nigeria’s major oil companies.
Tonlagha, who is also an Executive Director, Fenog Nigeria Limited, has grown from the little child that faced various challenges early in life to a successful businessman making impact in various sectors of the Nigerian economy, including oil and gas, engineering, procurement, construction, real estate, maritime and security.
He is not just a businessman and casual investor who threw money into any venture that could bring him profit. A man with an eye for details, he carefully chose the businesses that could make the most impact and strategic contribution to the country’s economic growth, and also help in reducing the population of the unemployed. The combined staff strength of all his companies runs into thousands of direct and indirect jobs, especially in sectors such as oil and gas, construction and real estate.
Before now, oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism had been the bane of Nigeria’s oil production, virtually crippling the sector and robbing the country of substantial amounts in revenue. This was, especially, during the era when the country was just coming out of the turbulent days of youth restiveness and militancy in the Niger Delta. Today, the story is different, thanks to the efforts of Tantita Security Services, the oil pipelines surveillance and protection company of which Tonlagha is the Vice Chairman.
Working alongside Government Ekpemukpolo, the former militant leader famously known as Tompolo, who is the Chairman of Tantita, Tonlagha was able to design a homegrown security strategy that has enabled the company, working in synergy with the Nigerian Navy, to drastically reduce cases of oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta. This has reflected positively on oil production and government revenue.
It was possible for the company to achieve the feat because it has two sons-of-the-soil with first-hand knowledge of the terrain at the helm of affairs. One, the chairman, was a militant leader who literally lived an amphibious life fighting on land and in the waters, while the other, the vice chairman, used to provide moral support on land. They both understood the problems of the Niger Delta from inside, the reason they were able to design bespoke solutions that resulted in the relative peace being enjoyed in the region today.
For Tonlagha, success has not translated to an opportunity to live a flamboyant lifestyle reveling in ostentation. It has presented an opportunity to give back to society – his immediate community, his state, and the nation, at large. At the national level, he has, in his private capacity as a Nigerian citizen, facilitated high level and strategic economic diplomacy involving Nigeria and the United States through engagement with Valcour Global Public Strategy, a Washington, D.C.-based government affairs company that is being run by a former White House top shot.
Locally, Tonlagha has used his enormous wealth to touch the lives of Nigerians, especially the less fortunate. He lives out the truism that says wealth is meaningful only when it impacts positively on the lives of others. Apart from job creation, he has made meaningful contributions in philanthropy, in the areas of healthcare, education and economic empowerment, using the platform of the Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation he set up in honour of his wife. The foundation has renovated schools, provided scholarships for indigent students, organized free feeding programmes, provided vocational training for youths and empowered widows, economically. As part of the celebrations to mark his 50th birthday in February, 2026, the foundation presented a renovated and fully equipped Oboro Primary Health Center to his community.
Tonlagha’s aversion for ostentatious living was evident when he celebrated his Golden Jubilee anniversary. The occasion was devoid of the noise, glamour, partying and merrymaking that are usually associated with the birthday celebrations of successful people.
In recognition and appreciation of God’s mercies upon him and the role He has played in is life, he held a praise and worship service tagged, Grace upon Grace, at the Mieka Event Centre, Effurun, on February 2. The event, an all-white affair, featured some of the country’s famous gospel artistes including Moses Bliss and Mercy Chinwo. It also featured prominent personalities from all walks of life, including the royalty.
Before the thanksgiving service, a novelty football match between Delta and Bayelsa states houses of assembly was held at the Shell Edjeba filed, Warri, as part of the birthday festivities – a match in which the latter triumphed.
An old African proverb says when a child washes his hands clean, he eats with the elders. Tonlagha is not a child within the context of the proverb, but the attendance at the public presentation of his biography appropriately titled, Forged in the Creeks, as part of his birthday celebration on February 8, in Abuja, spoke to the fact that he rubs shoulders with the high and the mighty, thanks to the success he has achieved in life. The event was a gathering of Nigeria’s who’s who, including former president, Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Delta State Governor – his own governor – Sheriff Oborevwori, and many serving and former political leaders, as well as captains of industry. President Bola Tinubu was ably represented at the event.
In a goodwill message he personally signed, Tinubu congratulated Tonlagha on attainment of the golden age of 50, commending his decision to document his life’s journey in a book for posterity. He acknowledged Tonlagha’s untiring efforts in advancing the cause of the people of the Niger Delta, through a combination of his own personal resources and advocacy.
The book presentation became an occasion for eulogies to be poured on Tonlagha, from all and sundry. Jonathan described him as a visionary who overcame challenges and worked diligently to achieve his dreams. “Turning 50 is a significant milestone—one that offers the opportunity to reflect on a life of purpose, impact and service”, the former president said. “Your journey as an entrepreneur and patriot exemplifies the virtues of resilience and commitment to national development.”
Akpabio, who unveiled the book, commended Tonlagha for his contributions to the development of the Niger Delta in particular, and Nigeria, in general. “Your life’s journey has consistently reflected vision, discipline and an unwavering commitment to high standards—qualities that have not only defined your leadership but have continued to inspire many within and beyond your professional sphere,” Akpabio said. “Your contributions to enterprise, community development and national growth stand as enduring testimonies to a life of committed progress and excellence.”
At 50, Tonlagha still sees himself as a youth, and does not miss an opportunity to identify with Nigerians of that category. In December, 2025, he organized a Christmas festival tagged, Benikrukru Christmas Carnival, which featured world class artistes like Burna Boy, Davido, Timaya, Phyno, Shallipopi, etc. The event was part of his efforts to make the youths of his community feel the impact of Christmas.
Tonlagha is a proud father of three lovely children.
