By Peace Udugba
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has emphasized the importance of local content policies in Africa’s energy future. Speaking at the 4th edition of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) conference and exhibition, Ogbe stressed that local content is crucial for African nations to derive optimal value from their hydrocarbon resources.
According to Ogbe, local content is not just a regulatory framework, but a development strategy that must be implemented with pragmatism. He noted that local content represents the resolve to build indigenous capacity, retain value within borders, and create sustainable jobs for young populations.
Sharing Nigeria’s Experience:
Ogbe highlighted Nigeria’s successes in local content implementation, citing the country’s experience over the past 15 years as a living example of what deliberate local content policy can achieve. He expressed NCDMB’s commitment to sharing its expertise, learnings, frameworks, and digital tools with other African petroleum-producing countries to strengthen local participation across the continent.
Ogbe also canvassed the establishment of an African Energy Services Network to foster collaboration among APPO member states. The network would add a fresh layer to the strategic vision of continental organizations like APPO, African Energy Bank, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The NCDMB has built world-class infrastructure, including the Egina FPSO Integration Yard, which can serve as a regional hub for FPSO and modular platform integration. The Board has also established oil and gas parks in Bayelsa and Cross River States, offering opportunities for small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) and prospective investors.
Ogbe expressed NCDMB’s readiness to collaborate with stakeholders to make the African Energy Bank’s objectives a reality. He also highlighted the Board’s Human Capacity Development (HCD) programmes, which have trained over 20,000 Nigerians in specialized oil and gas skills.
The NCDMB’s efforts aim to promote local content, drive economic development, and ensure that Africa’s energy sector is sustainable and beneficial to all.
