The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in partnership with Sweet Crude Limited has made public the selection criteria for the inaugural Champions of Nigerian Content Awards, designed to honor outstanding contributions to local content development in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Scheduled to take place on May 21, 2025 at the NCDMB Conference Hall, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the awards will recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing Nigerian Content in 2024. The ceremony will coincide with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), further spotlighting industry excellence and contributions to national economic transformation.
A statement from NCDMB and made available to Maritime Bits stated that no fewer than 12 award categories are up for considerations.
These include Nigerian Content Icon of the Year, Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award, Nigerian Content International Upstream Operator of the Year, Nigerian Content Independent Upstream Operator of the Year, Nigerian Content Midstream Operator of the Year, Nigerian Content Downstream Operator of the Year, and Nigerian Content International Service Company of the Year.
Others are Nigerian Content Indigenous Service Company of the Year, Nigerian Content Innovator of the Year, Nigerian Content Financial Services Provider of the Year, Nigerian Content Media Organization of the Year, and the Women in Leadership Award for Promoting Gender Equality and Empowerment.
According to the NCDMB, the criteria for oil and gas operators will include key and empirical benchmarks like
production output (crude oil and gas volumes);
compliance with Nigerian Content Plans (NCPs) and Nigerian Content Compliance Certificates (NCCCs) as well as adherence to NOGICD Act reporting requirements, such as submission of Nigerian content performance reports and employment and training plans.
Similar criteria will apply to financial institutions, media organizations, and individuals, ensuring a transparent and merit-based selection process.
Winners for the Nigerian content icon of the year, innovator of the year, and women in leadership award will also be selected based on measurable performance indicators.
In order to uphold the awards prestige, an advisory committee of distinguished experts has been set up to oversee nominations and validate winners. Members include the pioneer Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Dr. Ernest Nwapa;
Secretary General, African Petroleum Producers Organization, Dr. Omar Farouk;
and the former Zonal Operations Controller, defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Wole Akinyosoye
The Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe emphasized that the awards aim to become the oil and gas sector’s equivalent of the Oscars, celebrating genuine impact rather than mere participation.
“This recognition is reserved for those who have gone beyond compliance to drive tangible growth in Nigerian Content,” he stated.
With a focus on credibility, compliance, and measurable impact, the Champions of Nigerian Content Awards is poised to set a new standard for excellence in Nigeria’s energy sector.
