By Ono Yima | Abuja
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has reiterated the Board’s commitment to achieving energy sufficiency in Nigeria through deeper investments in local capacity development.
Delivering the welcome address at the 24th edition of the Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week Conference and Exhibition holding in Abuja, Ogbe emphasized that Nigeria’s energy future rests on its ability to harness and prioritize indigenous resources, capabilities, and enterprises.
“Local content is not just a policy, it is a strategic imperative,” Ogbe declared, speaking at the newly renovated Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
The theme of this year’s Nigerian Content Seminar, “Achieving Energy Sufficiency through Local Content,” was described by Ogbe as timely and central to the nation’s economic goals.
“For Nigeria, energy sufficiency goes beyond its availability; it extends towards the key elements of resilience, sovereignty, and sustainability, all of which are anchored in strong domestic capabilities,” he said.
The Nigeria First Policy: A Strategic Shift
Ogbe spotlighted the recently introduced Nigeria First Policy as a bold step towards reclaiming the country’s economic independence. The principle behind the policy, he said, is clear:
“All goods or services that are produced and/or available locally will not be procured from foreign sources unless there is a clear and justifiable reason.”
Rooted in Section 3(1) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, the policy mandates that first consideration be given to Nigerian-made goods and services—provided they meet required industry standards.
Ogbe described the policy as more than a procurement directive.
“It is about restoring dignity to Nigerian enterprises, unlocking local capacities, and building an economy that is resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.”
To ensure the Nigeria First Policy is implemented beyond paper, the NCDMB is initiating several key actions, including:
· Developing a Nigeria First Procurement Policy.
· Integrating the policy into internal Board processes, including the review of Nigerian Content Plans and Compliance Certifications.
· Commissioning baseline studies to assess the capacity of local service providers and the availability of Nigerian-made consumables in the oil and gas sector.
Education, Skills, and the “Back-To-The-Creek” Initiative
The Executive Secretary also unveiled a major social investment initiative titled Back-To-The-Creek, which he said aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Eight-Point Agenda.
The programme aims to improve educational infrastructure, vocational skills, and STEM learning for youths in the creeks of the Niger Delta. It includes the upgrading of schools, digitization of syllabi, scholarships for gifted students, and stipends to attract and retain quality teachers in underserved areas.
“The initiative is focused on developing the human capital of the creeks to build a pool of workforce for Nigerian industries,” he noted.
Call for Collaboration and Commitment
As the event commenced, Ogbe called on participants—government officials, industry stakeholders, and citizens alike—to embody the spirit of local content in both action and policy.
“The intentional development of local capacity is a direct precursor to energy sufficiency in Nigeria and the African continent at large,” he said.
“Let us adopt this policy in our institutions and embody its spirit in our decision-making processes.”
He concluded by encouraging full participation in the scheduled discussions and exhibitions.
“Let us network and build connections that strengthen the partnerships in the industry and deliver value,” he added.