A team from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) visited the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for a knowledge-sharing and local content benchmarking study. They aimed to learn more about the Board’s local content practices, including policy frameworks and strategies for implementation.
The delegation was led by Mr. Eric Pwadura, Director of Corporate Affairs at GNPC. They spent a week at the NCDMB headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. On Monday, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, welcomed them.
While welcoming the Ghanaian team, Engr. Ogbe noted that Africa has developed over the past few decades. The continent now holds over 120 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and 800 trillion standard cubic feet of gas. This amounts to more than 10 percent of the world's hydrocarbon resources.
He emphasized that it is vital for oil-producing countries to focus on local content development. These countries need to reduce their reliance on foreign technology for exploration, development, and production. Engr. Ogbe stated that they must develop local skills to exploit their resources effectively.
Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, the Director of Corporate Services at NCDMB, represented the Executive Secretary. He highlighted the potential of crude oil for economic growth. He mentioned Africa's large youth population, which should be trained for jobs in the oil and gas industry.
Dr. Halilu recalled that Nigeria’s local content journey began with the Local Content Division in the former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). This division managed local content issues through policy directives before evolving into the NCDMB we know today. He proudly said, “We have evolved from a policy to an institution,” adding that NCDMB is now the sole agency responsible for local content in Nigeria.
He also revealed that the NCDMB Board introduced a Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap. This roadmap includes five strategic pillars: Technical Capability Development, Compliance and Enforcement, Enabling Business Environment, Organisational Capability, and Sectoral and Regional Markets. There are also five enablers: Funding, Regulatory Environment, Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement, and Research and Development.
Engr. Ogbe talked about strategies for building capacity. He mentioned the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund), which works with development finance institutions like the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM). This fund provides single-digit loans to service companies. He said, “What we have done is to create that access to make the local service companies competitive.” This support has helped local companies buy essential assets, including marine vessels.
He stressed that when capacities are built, they must be used. The NCDMB encourages investments through a First Consideration policy that favors local companies with proven capabilities. He advised African countries looking to increase local participation in the oil and gas industry that “local content does not compromise standards…it does not mean you have African spec, European spec.” He concluded, “It’s one global spec.”
Dr. Zuwairat Asekome, an Assistant Manager in Strategy and Transformational Projects at NCDMB, highlighted the Board’s journey. She started with the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act in 2010. She noted the growth in local content policy implementation and the achievement of 61 percent in-country value addition in the industry.
Mr. Eric Pwadura expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn from the NCDMB, saying, “Even though we have the legislation guiding local content, we have not had the benefit of having a robust local content environment like you have.” He added that GNPC currently has a local content unit and wants to understand Nigeria’s local content development program better.
Esueme Dan Kikile Esq., the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at NCDMB, noted the interest among African oil-producing countries in local content. He said, “It’s important that we work together; we are happy to continue to share our experience in oil and gas, share our experience in local content.”
Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, General Manager of Corporate Communications at NCDMB, mentioned the long history of collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana in the energy sector. He said that NCDMB has mentored several African organizations on local content. NCDMB has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Petroleum Commission of Ghana and works with agencies in Senegal, Mozambique, Angola, and Namibia.
Other members of the GNPC delegation included Mrs. Jennifer Boateng, Adviser on General Services; Mr. Augustine Bayivella, Principal Supply Chain and Local Content Development Officer; and Mr. Seidu Salim Braimah, Manager of Supply Chain and Local Content Development.
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