Sopuruchi Onwuka

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) urged oil-producing countries to develop their competencies to the right specifications with which to specialise in different manufacturing and service niches in providing services for the petroleum industry.

Executive Secretary, Engr Felix Ogbe, whose presentation was delivered at the ongoing 2025 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference in Windhoek, said developing service niches would enable the countries to trade among themselves and contribute towards the manufacturing of complex oil and gas equipment.

Engr Ogbe’s presentation dwelled on strategies that would support the growth of African local content. He was represented at the event by the Director in charge of Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu.

Director in charge of Corporate Services at NCDMB, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu

He cited an example with the Boeing aircraft, which has critical components produced by different original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and assembled at a designated factory. Such a model, he noted, will ensure that each African country develops a competitive advantage and can contribute effectively to the African oil and gas industry.

In presenting the Nigerian experience with local content implementation, made it clear that the policy must present a cost effective needs specific business case for industry operations.

He also emphasized that local content regulations must also apply to all players in gradual, consistent and coordinated manner; adding that capacity building initiatives should include grassroots and underserved communities and development of pipeline of new projects.

He assured the audience that Nigeria is ready to partner with Namibia and other African nations to build an energy sector that empower the African people and drive shared prosperity.

General Manager in charge of Corporate Communications at the NCDMB, Dr Obinna Ezeobi, who is attending the Namibian event, stated that Nigeria’s local content successes in the oil and gas industry was a constant reference point in discussions at the opening day of the conference.

Some of the Nigerian delegates to 2025 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference in Windhoek

The event is attended by policymakers, international oil and gas operating and service companies, Namibian indigenous players and other stakeholders. The goal is to enhance the local content ecosystem in the Southern African country’s evolving oil and gas industry.

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) are participating at the Namibian event in furtherance of their collaboration in the promotion of African local content, creation of opportunities and new markets for Nigerian oil and gas companies.

The Board’s delegation is led by the Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Director, Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, while the PETAN team is led by its Chairman and member of NCDMB Governing Council, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya.

Dr. Halilu delivered a presentation at the Local Content Masterclass at the opening, and outlined a number of strategies that African oil producing countries can adopt to grow their local content capabilities.

According to him, local content value proposition for Africa include research and technology development, local employment, strategic partnerships, ownership and control of assets, value chain optimisation, sustainable operations, increase production and utilization of locally made goods and contribution to gross domestic product (GDP).

He identified government’s role in supplier development as regulatory, developmental and promotional.

Using Nigeria as a case study, Halilu listed key achievements of NCDMB to include the establishment of world class fabrication and construction yards, human capital development, manufacturing initiative, service sector growth, financial support and establishment of integration capability for floating production and storage and offloading facility (FPSO).

On the new wave of local content development in Nigeria, the Director pointed to the promotion of equipment assembly and components manufacturing, development of small and medium enterprises, enforcement of research and development and technology transfer as well as prioritization of gas based industrialisation.

The opening day also featured a presentation by NCDMB’s General Manager Human Capacity Development, Esueme Dan Kikile, Esq. He further shared the Board’s success stories in human capital development.

General Manager in charge of Human Capacity Development at NCDMB, Esueme Dan Kikile Esq, delivers a lecture at the event

The conference continues till Friday and is expected to feature another presentation by the NCDMB boss on Wednesday, while one of the panel discussions would feature the Chairman of PETAN Mr. Wole Ogunsanya.