Tari Gboriye, Yenagoa
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has called on indigenous oil and gas companies to strengthen their capacity and competitiveness to thrive in international markets, identifying access to assets, financing, technology and markets as critical drivers of sustainable growth.
Speaking at the 2026 Energy Conference of the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) held on October 8 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, who represented the Board, said the theme of the conference, “Access to Assets: Empowering Players and Driving Growth,” resonates with the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
He said the Act is designed to create meaningful opportunities for Nigerians to participate and excel in the industry.
He explained that the Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap, launched in 2017, is built on five core pillars and four enabling factors, with the ambitious target of raising local content participation to 70 per cent by 2027.
According to him, the roadmap also seeks to expand access to critical assets for skilled Nigerian professionals while strengthening the capacity and competitiveness of indigenous operating and service companies.
Ezeobi highlighted several flagship interventions of the Board, chief among which is the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund), noting that over 130 indigenous companies have accessed more than $400 million through the fund domiciled with the Bank of Industry and NEXIM Bank.
He also referenced Project 100, an initiative designed to support high-potential indigenous companies through capacity development, market access, financial linkages and tailored business support.
Other programmes, he said, include the Nigerian Content Equipment Certification (NCEC), the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGaPS) and vendor development initiatives aimed at deepening local participation.
He further explained that the Board is facilitating partnerships between Nigerian and foreign companies, while promoting regional collaboration to help local businesses expand beyond national borders.
He expressed satisfaction that Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry has grown from just five per cent in 2010 to 61 per cent after 16 years of implementing the Act, stressing that the next phase must focus on equipping indigenous companies with skills, technology and business systems required to compete globally.
In his welcome address, NAEC Chairman, Mr. Ugo Amadi, called for expanded opportunities for indigenous companies to acquire and develop oil and gas assets, identifying high entry costs, funding constraints and lengthy approval processes as major barriers.
The Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Engr. Wole Ogunsanya, underscored the need for consolidation and stronger collaboration among indigenous oilfield service companies to enable them pool technical capabilities and execute larger projects.
The Conference Chairman and Group Managing Director, Sahara Power Enterprise Group, Mr. Kola Adesina, represented by Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Bethel Obioma, emphasised that access must extend beyond ownership to include capital, partnerships, markets, technology and opportunities.
He remarked that “access is actually much greater and more important than assets,” noting that every transformational journey begins with access to ideas, mentors, capital and partnerships before physical assets.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, represented by Senior Technical Adviser, Engr. Abel Nsa, stressed that Nigeria must move beyond mere ownership of its vast gas resources to their development, financing and conversion into sustainable economic value.
He explained that the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative seeks to transform Nigeria from a resource-rich nation into one that leverages gas for industrialisation, power generation, transportation, manufacturing, fertiliser production, LPG adoption and other productive uses.
