By Suleiman Aremu | Solaremnews | Thursday 8, October, 2026
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has highlighted its funding, skills development, local equipment manufacturing and other initiatives aimed at expanding the participation of Nigerians and indigenous companies in the oil and gas industry.
The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Ogbe, stated this on Thursday at the 2026 Energy Conference organised by the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Ogbe, who was represented at the conference by the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division of the NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, said the conference theme, “Access to Assets: Empowering Players & Driving Growth,” was closely aligned with the essence of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act.
He said the Act was fundamentally designed to create opportunities for Nigerians and Nigerian companies to participate meaningfully in the oil and gas industry by providing them with access to opportunities, resources and the capacity required to compete.
The NCDMB Executive Secretary explained that the Nigerian Content Roadmap introduced in 2017 was also built around the objective of improving access and strengthening the capacity of Nigerian players to participate effectively in the industry.
According to him, the roadmap is anchored on five major pillars, including technical capacity development, compliance and enforcement, business environment, and sectoral and regional linkages.
He said these pillars were complemented by key enablers, including funding, a conducive regulatory environment, collaboration, as well as research and development.
Ogbe said the various initiatives were designed to address the capacity, financing, regulatory and technical challenges that could prevent Nigerian businesses from taking advantage of opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
He disclosed that the NCDMB established the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund in 2017 as part of efforts to enable indigenous oil and gas service companies to expand their capacity and gain greater access to industry opportunities.
According to him, the fund supports Nigerian companies to develop their technical and operational capacities, acquire equipment and position themselves to compete effectively within the sector.
He said the Bank of Industry had provided $350 million under the funding arrangement, while another $50 million was being managed through the NEXIM Bank.
Ogbe said the funding interventions were part of the Board’s broader strategy to strengthen indigenous businesses and ensure that Nigerian companies were adequately positioned to benefit from investments in the oil and gas industry.
The NCDMB boss also highlighted the Board’s Nigerian Content Equipment Certification initiative, which he said was aimed at helping Nigerian companies develop the capacity to manufacture critical equipment locally.
He explained that the initiative was designed to promote local manufacturing, strengthen indigenous technical capacity and reduce dependence on imported equipment in the oil and gas industry.
He further disclosed that the Board was establishing a Nigerian Oil and Gas Park where critical equipment required for the operation of the industry could be manufactured within the country.
According to him, the initiative would provide additional opportunities for Nigerian manufacturers while strengthening the local supply chain and ensuring that the industry has access to equipment produced domestically.
Ogbe also emphasised the importance of human capital development, stressing that access to opportunities in the oil and gas industry would be difficult without Nigerians possessing the required technical and professional skills.
He disclosed that the NCDMB had trained more than 10,000 Nigerians in critical skills over the past 15 years as part of its human capacity development programmes.
He said the training initiatives were aimed at equipping Nigerians with the technical competencies required to participate effectively in the oil and gas industry.
The Executive Secretary noted that the recent increase in investments and Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) in the industry had created a renewed need to prepare Nigerians with the skills required to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
He disclosed that the Board was therefore implementing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Talent and Skills initiative, which focuses on critical skills required in the industry.
According to him, the programme includes field-readiness training designed to equip participants with practical skills needed to meet the demands of projects and investments emerging across the oil and gas sector.
Ogbe stressed that developing the required skills, strengthening indigenous companies, providing access to finance, promoting local equipment manufacturing and creating an enabling regulatory environment were essential to increasing Nigerian participation in the industry.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the NCDMB to working with stakeholders to strengthen local capacity and ensure that Nigerians and indigenous businesses are positioned to benefit from investments and opportunities in the oil and gas sector.
The 2026 NAEC Energy Conference, themed “Access to Assets: Empowering Players & Driving Growth,” brought together stakeholders and professionals across the energy sector to examine ways of improving access to opportunities, strengthening local participation and driving sustainable growth in Nigeria’s energy industry.
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