The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) recently celebrated 14 of its retired employees for their contributions to the growth and development of local content in Nigeria's oil and gas industry. The event, held at the Conference Centre of the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, provided an opportunity for former management staff to reflect on the challenges and progress made since the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act in 2010.
Mohammed Umar, a former Director of Legal Services, highlighted the initial resistance from major players in the oil and gas industry when the Act was first implemented. He noted that the board had to deploy tact and sustained engagement to convince industry operators of the benefits of complying with the local content law. Umar stated that local content had grown from about 5% in 2010 to 61%, describing this development as a major achievement.
Umar also mentioned that many African countries now look to Nigeria to learn the secret of its success in local content development. He urged serving employees of the board to remain committed and give their best to sustain the progress recorded. Another retiree, Daziba Obah, who served as pioneer Director of Planning, Research and Statistics and later as Acting Executive Secretary of NCDMB, recalled the challenges encountered during the construction of the 17-storey Nigerian Content Tower.
Obah also spoke about the early challenges of funding research and development projects, noting that the board eventually demonstrated its capacity by successfully organising its maiden Research and Development Fair and Conference in Lagos in 2017. Isaac Yalah, a former Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, described NCDMB as an institution that provides staff with the tools and training required to excel.
Yalah noted that the $350m Nigerian Content Intervention Fund had significantly boosted the participation of indigenous companies in the oil and gas sector. He stated that several Nigerian service companies accessed the fund at single-digit interest rates to acquire assets and expand their operations. Yalah urged serving staff to continue learning and remain focused on taking the board to greater heights.
Dr Ginah Ginah, former General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, described his years at NCDMB as "very exciting times." He noted that the board's training programmes contributed significantly to staff development, while its establishment of Information and Communication Technology centres helped promote digital awareness among young people in oil-producing communities.
Representing the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Esueme Kikile, said the event was organised to honour men and women who had dedicated significant portions of their professional lives to the service of the board. Kikile noted that the retirees contributed not only through their official responsibilities but also by mentoring colleagues, sharing knowledge, and building institutional relationships.
Key points
- Local content in Nigeria's oil and gas industry has grown from 5% to 61% since the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act in 2010.
- The Nigerian Content Intervention Fund has boosted the participation of indigenous companies in the oil and gas sector.
- The NCDMB has provided staff with tools and training required to excel, contributing to staff development and digital awareness in oil-producing communities.
