The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has hosted a delegation from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) on a knowledge-sharing and local content benchmarking visit aimed at strengthening institutional frameworks and implementation strategies in Ghana’s oil and gas sector.
The GNPC delegation, led by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Eric Pwadura, is currently on a week-long study tour of the NCDMB headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The team was received on Monday by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe.
Welcoming the visitors, Ogbe noted that Africa has witnessed significant growth in hydrocarbon resources over the past four decades, with over 120 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and 800 trillion standard cubic feet of gas, representing more than 10 per cent of global hydrocarbon resources.
He stressed the importance of prioritising local content development across African oil-producing nations, particularly the need to reduce dependence on foreign technologies for exploration, field development, and production activities.
Represented by the Director of Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, the NCDMB boss highlighted the transformative potential of crude oil in driving economic growth. He emphasised the importance of equipping Africa’s youthful population with the necessary technical skills to participate actively in the industry.
Ogbe traced Nigeria’s local content journey from a policy-driven framework under the defunct Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the establishment of the NCDMB as a full-fledged institution overseeing local content development.
He also outlined the Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap, built on five key pillars: Technical Capability Development, Compliance and Enforcement, Enabling Business Environment, Organisational Capability, and Sectoral and Regional Markets. These are supported by enablers such as funding, regulatory environment, collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and research and development.
As part of its capacity-building initiatives, the NCDMB operates the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund in partnership with institutions like the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), providing single-digit loans to indigenous service companies.
Ogbe explained that the fund has enabled local firms to acquire critical assets, including marine vessels, thereby enhancing their competitiveness. He added that the Board’s “First Consideration” policy ensures that capable indigenous companies are prioritised in contract awards.
He further clarified that promoting local content does not imply lowering standards, noting that global industry standards remain applicable.
In a presentation on the Board’s strategic roadmap, Dr. Zuwairat Asekome highlighted the evolution of Nigeria’s local content policy following the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act in 2010. She disclosed that in-country value addition has now risen to 61 per cent.
In his response, Mr. Pwadura expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn from Nigeria’s experience, noting that although Ghana has local content legislation, it is yet to achieve a robust implementation framework comparable to Nigeria’s.
He said GNPC currently operates a local content unit but seeks deeper insight into developing a more comprehensive system.
Also speaking, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at NCDMB, Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile, emphasised the growing interest among African nations in strengthening local content policies and called for increased collaboration across the continent.
Earlier, the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division of NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, highlighted the longstanding collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana in the energy sector. He added that NCDMB has supported several African institutions and maintains partnerships with organisations in Ghana, Senegal, Mozambique, Angola, and Namibia.
Other members of the GNPC delegation include Mrs. Jennifer Boateng, Mr. Augustine Bayivella, and Mr. Seidu Salim Braimah.
