By Peace Udugba
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in collaboration with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian Petroleum Exchange (NIPEX), and the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), has unveiled plans to conduct joint industry capacity audits aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, announced the initiative on Monday during the 25th edition of the Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week in Abuja. He explained that the participating agencies have developed a harmonised framework for grading and ranking in-country capacities and capabilities across the industry.
Ogbe, who was represented by the Director of the Capacity Building Directorate, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, said the next phase of local content development would focus on capacity expansion, industrialisation, manufacturing, sustainability, and global competitiveness, marking a shift from the industry’s earlier emphasis on indigenous participation and regulatory compliance.
He noted that the first 15 years of implementing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, had increased indigenous participation in the sector from less than five per cent to 61 per cent, with Nigerians now owning and managing critical operational assets while delivering key services across the oil and gas value chain.
According to him, Nigeria’s energy sector now possesses the capacity to support a vibrant manufacturing ecosystem. However, he observed that many local manufacturers continue to face challenges, including limited market access, technology gaps, and inadequate financing.
Ogbe stressed that overcoming these challenges would require stronger collaboration among regulators, operators, service companies, financial institutions, and manufacturers. He added that the Presidential Directives on Local Content Compliance Requirements provide a solid foundation for deeper industry collaboration.
He disclosed that under the industry’s Harmonisation Road Map, regulatory agencies and the OPTS would begin upgrading their certification portals ahead of the planned joint industry capacity audits for manufacturers and service providers operating within the oil and gas sector.
The audit, he explained, is expected to provide a comprehensive assessment of existing industry capabilities, eliminate unnecessary intermediaries, improve contracting timelines, and promote direct patronage of qualified service providers to enhance business sustainability and growth.
Ogbe further stated that the exercise would help identify companies capable of supporting major capital projects, including the seven Deepwater Projects.
He revealed that the Harmonisation Framework classifies service providers into five categories, with Class 4 (“Emerging Players”) and Class 5 (“Essential Vendors”) specifically designed to support newer companies through structured vendor development programmes that will help them evolve into manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
He expressed optimism that the joint industry capacity audit would commence in the third quarter of 2026.
Looking ahead, Ogbe identified three strategic priorities for the next phase of local content development: competence, capacity expansion, and collaboration. He said Nigeria must continue investing in human capital, technology transfer, innovation, and technical excellence to enable local companies to compete globally.
He also emphasised the need to accelerate manufacturing, industrialisation, and the development of scalable productive assets, while encouraging stronger partnerships among industry operators, service companies, government agencies, financial institutions, OEMs, and research institutions to build sustainable industrial ecosystems.
Highlighting recent capacity-building initiatives by the Board, Ogbe listed the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (NCEC) Application Guidance Notes, the Field Readiness Training Programme, the Nigerian Content Trainers Registration Certificate (NCTRC), the Back-to-the-Creek Initiative, and the Cradle-to-Career Academic Excellence Recognition and Advancement Programme.
He added that the NOG Energy Week 2026 is providing stakeholders with greater clarity on the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act and the Board’s regulatory processes.
