By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
Determined to accelerate contracting processes in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, eliminate unqualified intermediaries and reduce production costs, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has issued new NCEC Application Guidance Notes, effective from December 2025.
The document, which is available on the Board’s website (www.ncdmb.gov.ng) and the NCEC application portal, forms part of ongoing efforts to operationalise the Presidential Directives on Local Content Requirements. The directives mandate the Board to take decisive steps to remove intermediaries without demonstrable technical capacity from the contracting process.
Emphasising that possession of a Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (NCEC) issued by NCDMB is a core requirement for participation in oil and gas contracting, the guidance notes state that “unmerited possession and/or misapplication of NCECs during tendering and bid evaluations contribute to contracting delays and the admittance of unqualified intermediaries into the contracting process.”
According to the Board, the new guidelines are designed to curb abuses such as multiple NCEC applications not backed by actual capacity, submission of forged documents, under-declaration of personnel, non-existent offices or equipment, and other fraudulent practices. The document is also expected to enhance timely review and approval of applications from genuine service companies by clearly outlining all requirements needed to complete a credible application at first attempt.
The eight NCEC categories covered under the guidelines are Manufacturing & Related Services (MS), Fabrication & Construction (FC), Construction & Moveable Equipment (EC), Services & Support (SS), Quality Control, Inspection and Testing (QS), Non-Moveable Assets (DA), Procurement & Supplies (PS) and Consultancy Services (CS).
Service companies applying for any NCEC category are advised to clearly state their specific service offerings and provide sufficient supporting evidence through the application portal. NCDMB further clarified that it does not solicit or require payment for the application, processing or approval of NCEC or any of its certifications.
In line with the Presidential Directive on Local Content compliance, the Board stressed that the use of agents, middlemen or third parties in the submission of NCEC applications is prohibited. It noted that service companies registered on the NOGIC-JQS remain fully liable for all claims and documents submitted using their assigned login details.
The guidance notes also state that companies, including subsidiaries or local partners, cannot apply for or obtain separate NCECs using the same facilities, equipment, assets or documentation. In addition, NCECs are not transferable for use by another company.
NCDMB further advised service companies to apply strictly for NCECs aligned with their core service areas, warning that spurious applications contribute to delays in processing genuine requests. Cases determined to constitute abuse of the NCEC application process, the Board warned, will attract appropriate sanctions.
Companies applying for multiple NCECs must demonstrate adequate capacity in terms of assets, facilities, equipment and personnel to execute the scope of activities under each category. The Board stated that facility visits will be conducted to verify claimed capacities across all applications.
The document clarified that NCECs are not granted in anticipation of future investments but are approved based on existing, functional equipment and assets with dedicated resources and utilities. Applicants must therefore be prepared to demonstrate operability and availability of owned assets during facility verification exercises.
Requests for upgrade or addition of services on valid, unexpired NCECs based on additional investments will be treated as new applications and subjected to full verification of submitted equipment, assets and documentation. Applicants are also expected to provide complete and accurate information to enable timely review.
The guidance notes listed services exempted from NCEC requirements, including GSM service providers, commercial airlines, educational institutions, legal advisory services, public relations and events management firms, government agencies, and CSR projects involving community vendors.
Commenting on the new guidelines, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, urged oil and gas stakeholders to carefully study and comply with the guidance notes when applying for NCECs. He warned that submission of forged, altered or falsified documents constitutes a criminal offence and will attract legal consequences in addition to administrative sanctions by the Board.
Ogbe also disclosed that the Board has set target timelines for the review and processing of NCEC applications, noting that the application portal provides timestamps for all activities from submission through to final review.
