By Peace Udugba -The Daily Torch Media
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has intensified efforts to attract Chinese investment, technology and manufacturing capacity into Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The Board engaged more than 100 Chinese Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in Chengdu, China, during Nigeria’s participation in the 15th China Shale Oil and Gas Summit, held from September 20 to 23, 2026.
The engagement focused on opportunities for Chinese manufacturers to invest in local production, technology development, equipment manufacturing and oil and gas services in Nigeria.
Representing the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Director, Project Certification and Authorization Division (PCAD) and Senior Technical Adviser to the Executive Secretary, Engr. Austin Uzoka, delivered a keynote address titled, “Nigeria’s Local Content Journey and Opportunities for Chinese Collaboration in Oil and Gas Equipment Manufacturing.”
Uzoka said the NCDMB was seeking to move relations between Nigerian oil and gas companies and Chinese manufacturers beyond the traditional buyer-seller arrangement towards investment, manufacturing, technology transfer and integration into global supply chains.
He said Nigeria could provide Chinese manufacturers with opportunities to establish production, assembly and service operations while using the country as a gateway to the wider African market.
“We are looking beyond the traditional buyer-seller relationship. What can we build together? We want Chinese companies to see Nigeria not simply as a market for their products, but as a strategic investment destination, a platform for manufacturing and technology development, and a gateway to opportunities across the wider African market,” he said.
NCDMB promotes oil and gas manufacturing
The Board also highlighted the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS) as a platform for industrial investment, encouraging Chinese OEMs to establish manufacturing, assembly and service facilities in Nigeria.
According to the NCDMB, such investments could promote technology transfer, technical partnerships and the integration of Nigerian businesses into the supply chains of Chinese manufacturers.
Uzoka identified China’s capabilities in manufacturing, engineering, technology and energy infrastructure as areas where stronger collaboration could support Nigeria’s industrial development.
“China has developed tremendous capabilities in manufacturing, engineering, technology and energy infrastructure. We want to explore how those capabilities can be connected with the opportunities that exist in Nigeria, for mutual benefits,” he said.
He said Nigeria’s local content agenda had evolved significantly since the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act in 2010.
According to him, the focus has expanded from increasing Nigerian participation in oil and gas projects to building industrial capacity, deepening manufacturing, promoting technology ownership and improving the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses.
Over 100 Chinese OEMs join B2B session
The second day of the summit featured a Business-to-Business (B2B) session organised by the NCDMB, bringing together more than 100 Chinese equipment manufacturers and Nigerian oil and gas industry stakeholders.
Discussions centred on local manufacturing, supply-chain integration, investment opportunities, technology development and market access.
Representatives of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), led by Mr. Sylvester Ovunwese, participated in the session alongside representatives of Project 100, including Mrs. Olateju Oyelakun of Encapsulate Nigeria Limited and Mr. Namdi Akudulu of Wider Energy.
Renaissance African Energy Company was represented by its General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Engr. Olarenwaju Lanre Olawuyi, who made a presentation on behalf of the company and the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS).
The B2B session provided an opportunity for Nigerian companies to showcase their capabilities, while Chinese manufacturers explored prospects for market entry, local production and technical cooperation.
The NCDMB said the engagement generated interest among participating Chinese OEMs, with several expressing willingness to explore business relationships with Nigerian companies and participate in the country’s developing oil and gas manufacturing ecosystem.
The General Manager, Midstream, PCAD, Ms. Lekoma Phimia, urged participants to build on the connections established during the session and pursue commercially viable and sustainable partnerships.
NCDMB showcases investment opportunities
The Board also participated in the exhibition component of the summit, where its booth attracted industry players, visitors and prospective investors seeking information on Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, local content opportunities and avenues for establishing business operations in the country.
The Chengdu engagement forms part of the NCDMB’s broader efforts to strengthen international industrial partnerships and advance the objectives of the NOGICD Act.
The Board said its strategy is to progressively move Nigeria’s local content agenda from participation to capability development, manufacturing, technology ownership and greater regional competitiveness.
