Nigeria’s local content successes in the oil and gas industry was a constant reference point in discussions at the just concluded 2025 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference which took place at Windhoek, Namibia.
The event was attended by policy makers, international oil and gas operating and service companies, Namibian indigenous players and other stakeholders.
The goal is to enhance the local content ecosystem in the Southern African country’s evolving oil and gas industry.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) participated at the event in furtherance of their collaboration in the promotion of African local content, creation of opportunities and new markets for Nigerian oil and gas companies.
NCDMB in a statement made available to Maritime Bits said its Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe was represented at the conference by its Director, Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu while the PETAN team was led by its Chairman and member of NCDMB Governing Council, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya.
According to the statement, Halilu who delivered a presentation at the Local Content Master Class at the opening, outlined a number of strategies that African oil producing countries can adopt to grow their local content capabilities.
These include local content value proposition for Africa, research and technology development, local employment, strategic partnerships, ownership and control of assets, value chain optimisation, sustainable operations, increase production and utilization of locally made goods and contribution to gross domestic product (GDP).
Halilu also identified government’s role in supplier development as regulatory, developmental and promotional.
Using Nigeria as a case study, he listed key achievements of NCDMB to include the establishment of world class fabrication and construction yards, human capital development, manufacturing initiative, service sector growth, financial support and establishment of integration capability for floating production and storage and offloading facility (FPSO).
On the new wave of local content development in Nigeria, he pointed to the promotion of equipment assembly and components manufacturing, development of small and medium enterprises, enforcement of research and development and technology transfer as well as prioritization of gas based industrialisation.
Dwelling on strategies that would support the growth of African local content, he urged oil-producing countries to specialise in different manufacturing and service areas of the oil and gas industry and develop their competencies to the right specifications.
According to him, this will enable the countries to trade among themselves and contribute towards the manufacturing of complex oil and gas equipment.
He cited an example with the Boeing aircraft which has critical components produced by different original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and assembled at a designated factory. Such a model, he noted, will ensure that each African country develops a competitive advantage and can contribute effectively to the African oil and gas industry.
He concluded by offering local content nuggets which include the fact that local content implementation is not a sprint but a marathon and must be executed as a business and not as corporate social responsibility.
He opined that local content must also be cost effective and local peculiarities must be given key considerations.
Other recommendations include that local content regulations must apply to all players in the industry and not only foreign companies or expatriates and the implementation takes time, consistency, and coordination.
Halilu equally suggested that capacity building initiatives should include grassroots and underserved communities, adding that local content practice would not grow if new projects are not developed.
He ended by assuring the audience that Nigeria is ready to partner with Namibia and other African nations to build an energy sector that empower the African people and drive shared prosperity.
The opening day also featured a presentation by NCDMB’s General Manager Human Capacity Development, Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile.
Kikile used his presentation to share NCDMB success stories in human capital development since its establishment over a decade ago.
