By Els William
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has begun engaging oil and gas industry stakeholders on the implementation of a study aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to manufacture critical equipment and components locally, including pumps, valves, flanges, gaskets, bolts and nuts.
The initiative is designed to address capacity gaps in the domestic supply chain, expand opportunities for indigenous manufacturers and retain more value within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
At a stakeholder engagement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Board said the exercise marked the transition from research and recommendations to implementation of its Study Report on Capacity Development for In-Country Manufacturing.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, General Manager, Infrastructure and Enterprise Development, Capacity Building Directorate, said the initiative marked an important step towards deepening Nigerian Content and strengthening domestic industrial capacity.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey toward deepening local capacity, fostering industrialisation, and maximising value retention within the Nigerian oil and gas industry,” Ogbe said in his keynote address, delivered on his behalf.
He explained that the report followed months of research and engagement intended to identify the obstacles preventing Nigerian companies from meeting more of the industry’s equipment and component requirements.
“This report represents months of rigorous research, data collection, analytical evaluation, and broader stakeholder engagement aimed at identifying existing capacity gaps, structural bottlenecks, and untapped opportunities within our industry value chain,” he said.
The study covers the in-country manufacturing of pumps, valves, flanges, gaskets, bolts and nuts, metering solutions, and instrument fittings — products that serve important functions across oil and gas exploration, production, processing and transportation.
Developing domestic capacity in these areas could create opportunities for Nigerian manufacturers to participate more extensively in industry procurement, build technical expertise, generate employment and reduce dependence on imported equipment.
However, translating the study’s findings into measurable industrial growth will require more than identifying opportunities. Manufacturers must also be able to meet technical specifications, quality assurance requirements, delivery schedules and the commercial demands of oil and gas operators.
Ogbe said the initiative was consistent with the Board’s statutory responsibility to expand indigenous participation and transform the structure of the country’s petroleum industry.
“Our mandate at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board is to transform our oil and gas sector from an enclave economy reliant on foreign expertise into an inclusive, locally driven engine of national growth,” he said.
He added that the Board remained committed to ensuring that indigenous companies received the support and opportunities required to grow their businesses.
“As we transition into implementing the recommendations of the Study Report, we remain resolute in upholding these statutory mandates to ensure that indigenous companies are given every opportunity to thrive,” he said.
The implementation drive also forms part of NCDMB’s 10-Year Strategic Roadmap, which targets 70 per cent Nigerian Content by 2027.
“Today’s rollout is not an isolated initiative; it is an integral pillar of our NCDMB 10-Year Strategic Roadmap, which targets achieving 70% Nigerian Content by 2027,” Ogbe said.
The target places additional importance on developing local manufacturing capacity, particularly in equipment categories where domestic suppliers could capture a larger share of industry demand if they can meet operators’ technical and commercial requirements.
For the initiative to succeed, however, the Board will need sustained cooperation among equipment manufacturers, oil and gas operators, service companies, financiers and other relevant industry institutions.
Ogbe acknowledged the importance of such collaboration, stressing that implementation could not be achieved by the regulator alone.
“The implementation of this Study Report requires total buy-in and active collaboration across all tiers of the industry,” he said.
He assured stakeholders that NCDMB would support indigenous businesses not only through regulation but also by facilitating access to opportunities and improving the processes through which companies engage with the industry.
“On our part, the NCDMB will continue to act not just as a regulator but as a business enabler, streamlining approval processes, facilitating access to market opportunities, and providing the necessary support frameworks for indigenous growth,” he said.
The commitment to streamline approvals and improve access to markets is significant because local manufacturers need predictable regulatory processes and reliable demand to justify investments in production facilities, technology, skilled personnel and quality-control systems.
Industry stakeholders will therefore be watching how the recommendations are translated into practical measures, including clearer procurement opportunities, technical capacity development and support for manufacturers seeking to meet the standards required by oil and gas operators.
Ogbe urged participants to remain committed to the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010 and the Board’s 2027 target.
“As we begin implementation, let us remain guided by the spirit of the NOGICD Act 2010 and our commitment to achieving our 70% Nigerian Content target by 2027,” he said.
“Together, we can build a resilient, competitive, and globally respected Nigerian oil and gas industry.”
The stakeholder engagement marks an important step in the Board’s effort to expand domestic manufacturing. Its ultimate significance, however, will depend on the extent to which the report’s recommendations translate into increased local production, stronger indigenous suppliers and greater participation by Nigerian manufacturers in oil and gas procurement.