By Peace Udugba
Nigeria’s achievements in local content development within the oil and gas industry were a constant reference point during discussions on the opening day of the 2025 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, which began on Tuesday in Windhoek, Namibia.
The event is being attended by policymakers, international oil and gas operators, service companies, Namibian indigenous players, and other stakeholders. Its goal is to strengthen the local content ecosystem in Namibia’s evolving oil and gas industry.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) are participating in the Namibian Oil and Gas Conference as part of their joint efforts to promote African local content, create new opportunities, and open markets for Nigerian oil and gas companies.
The NCDMB delegation is led by Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Director of Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu. The PETAN team is led by its Chairman and NCDMB Governing Council member, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya.
Dr. Halilu delivered a presentation during the Local Content Masterclass at the opening session, where he outlined key strategies African oil-producing nations can adopt to enhance local content development.
According to him, Africa’s local content value proposition includes research and technology development, local employment, strategic partnerships, asset ownership and control, value chain optimization, sustainable operations, increased production and use of locally made goods, and enhanced contributions to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He identified the government’s role in supplier development as regulatory, developmental, and promotional.
Using Nigeria as a case study, Dr. Halilu highlighted key achievements of the NCDMB, including the establishment of world-class fabrication and construction yards, human capital development, manufacturing initiatives, growth of the service sector, financial support mechanisms, and the establishment of integration capacity for Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facilities.
On the new wave of local content development in Nigeria, he pointed to the promotion of equipment assembly and component manufacturing, support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), enforcement of research and development (R&D) and technology transfer, as well as the prioritization of gas-based industrialization.
Speaking on strategies to grow African local content, Dr. Halilu urged oil-producing countries to specialize in different manufacturing and service areas within the oil and gas sector and to build competencies to meet required specifications. This, he said, would allow for intra-African trade and collaboration in the manufacturing of complex oil and gas equipment.
He cited the Boeing aircraft model as an example—where critical components are produced by different Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and assembled at a central facility. A similar approach, he noted, would enable African countries to develop competitive advantages and contribute meaningfully to the continent’s oil and gas industry.
The representative of the Executive Secretary concluded by sharing key local content insights, noting that local content implementation is not a sprint but a marathon, and must be approached as a business—not merely as corporate social responsibility. He emphasized that local content must be cost-effective, and local peculiarities should be given priority.
He further recommended that local content regulations apply to all players in the industry—not just foreign companies or expatriates—and stressed that implementation requires time, consistency, and coordination. He also suggested that capacity-building initiatives must include grassroots and underserved communities, adding that local content development cannot thrive without the initiation of new projects.
He concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s readiness to partner with Namibia and other African nations in building an energy sector that empowers African people and drives shared prosperity.
The opening day also featured a presentation by NCDMB’s General Manager, Human Capacity Development, Esueme Dan Kikile, Esq., who shared the Board’s achievements in human capital development.
The conference continues through Friday, with another presentation expected from the NCDMB Executive Secretary on Wednesday. One of the key panel sessions will feature PETAN Chairman, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya.
