The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has urged the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to prioritise employing Nigerians before considering foreign workers. This call was made by the board’s Executive Secretary, Felix Omotsola Ogbe, during the inauguration of a Joint Technical Committee between both organisations.
Ogbe stressed the importance of adhering to provisions in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, which require companies in the sector to seek approval before hiring expatriates. He said the goal is to protect Nigerian jobs and build the country’s human capacity, especially now that the refinery has entered its operational phase.
The event, held at the Dangote Free Trade Zone in Lagos, marked the beginning of closer cooperation between the two parties. The newly formed committee will monitor how well the refinery incorporates local labour, materials, and services into its daily operations.
Ogbe also encouraged the Dangote Group to partner with NCDMB on its Oil and Gas Parks Scheme, an initiative designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and promote local manufacturing in oil-producing regions.
He commended the Dangote Group for its training of Nigerian engineers and presented the company with an award for its commitment to local content in the downstream oil sector.
In response, Dangote Group’s Oil and Gas Vice President, Devakumar Edwin, said the company has always worked closely with NCDMB and remains committed to supporting Nigerian industry. He explained that while the company remains focused on managing costs, it will continue to emphasise local participation in its projects.
Committee chairman Abdulmalik Halilu, who is also the NCDMB Director of Corporate Services, pledged that the committee would deliver on its mandate to ensure Nigerians benefit directly from the refinery’s operations.
Overall, the partnership is expected to create more jobs, deepen local expertise, and support Nigeria’s push for greater self-reliance in the oil and gas sector.
