Julius Berger Man Behind The Bridges In Nigeria

The prominent Julius Berger in the construction industry in 1965 was awarded a contract to engineer, build and construct a major infrastructure project in Nigeria the Eko Bridge in Lagos. This was the foundation of Julius Berger’s commitment to Nigeria.
Since then, the company has grown into a house hold name across Nigeria in structural engineering and infrastructure works.

But little is known about the world renowned construction magnate whose construction company – Julius Berger – built most of our bridges and many Nigerian edifices. 

Julius Berger was born in 1862 in Zempelburg, a small town in Germany. His father sent him to Berlin at the age of 12 to take up an apprenticeship with a leather wholesale firm. He returned to the family transport business three years later in 1878. 

He soon found himself more frequently transporting building materials instead of grain. It was this transportation of building materials that led to his becoming increasingly familiar with the construction industry.  

When he had learned enough, he switched professions and started his own construction company named after him. Julius Berger came into Nigeria in August 1965. 

The famous third Mainland Bridge was one of the many construction works of the architectural magnate. He died in 1942.