Officials from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) shared Nigeria’s experience in implementing local content policies and offered guidance for other African countries during the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference on Wednesday.
Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, NCDMB’s Director of Corporate Services, outlined the key pillars of Nigeria’s local content framework, including regulatory measures, market access, capacity building, funding, incentives, gap analysis, and research and development. He also highlighted PETAN’s contribution, noting the association supports over 101 companies in the sector, employs more than 30,000 Nigerians, and indirectly impacts over 100,000 jobs.
Halilu reported that Nigeria’s 10-year local content strategy has increased the country’s industry participation to 56 percent as of 2025. He added that initiatives such as capacity development, in-country value addition, and funding programs have been crucial in boosting local service and manufacturing companies.
In a panel discussion titled “Local Content Development: How Namibians Can Benefit from the Oil and Gas Industry”, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, NCDMB’s GM of Corporate Communications, recommended policies similar to Nigeria’s Project 100, which provides financial and technical support to selected local companies to strengthen their capabilities and market reach. He also encouraged partnerships between governments and private sector players, collaborations with international equipment manufacturers, and sponsorships for local firms to attend global industry events.
Addressing early challenges of the NOGICD Act, Ezeobi mentioned resistance from some international companies, doubts about government commitment, and concerns over the capacity of local firms. He noted these challenges were largely addressed through stakeholder engagement and consistent delivery of high-quality work by Nigerian companies.
PETAN Chairman, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya, advised Namibia to separate simpler project packages from major contracts, enabling smaller local companies to win contracts, gain experience, and gradually build capacity.
During the conference, NCDMB and PETAN also hosted a joint exhibition booth, engaging government officials and industry stakeholders interested in Nigeria’s local content law and exploring potential collaborations for technical services in the oil and gas sector.
