NCDMB retirees recall local content struggles, celebrate growth to 61%

Pioneering management staff of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have recalled the challenges that accompanied the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, saying local content in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry has grown from about five per cent to 61 per cent.

The former executives spoke at a Retirees’ Celebration Dinner held on Friday at the Conference Centre of the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), the NCDMB headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The event honoured 14 former employees who served across the Board’s seven Directorates with Special Awards of Excellence for their contributions and years of service.

Speaking at the ceremony, former Director of Legal Services, Mohammed Babaginda Umar, recalled the initial resistance from major players in the oil and gas industry following the enactment of the NOGICD Act.

According to him, local content was a new concept and many industry operators were initially reluctant to comply with the provisions designed to retain value in Nigeria and promote the use of Nigerian manpower, goods and services.

He said the Legal Services Directorate had to deploy tact and sustained engagement to build understanding and compliance among industry stakeholders.

Umar said the gradual acceptance of the legislation by oil and gas companies had contributed to the significant increase in local content participation.

“Local content has come to stay,” he said, adding that other African countries now look to Nigeria for lessons on developing local participation in the petroleum industry.

Another retiree, Daziba Patrick Obah, who served as pioneer Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Acting Executive Secretary of NCDMB between 2016 and 2017 and later Director of Corporate Services, recalled challenges associated with the construction of the 17-storey Nigerian Content Tower.

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He also highlighted the Board’s early efforts to promote research and development, noting that funding was initially contentious. He said NCDMB eventually took responsibility for funding research and demonstrated its capacity by successfully organising the maiden Research and Development Fair and Conference in Lagos in September 2017.

Former Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Isaac Yalah, described the $350 million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund as a major catalyst for indigenous participation, saying several Nigerian oilfield service companies accessed the single-digit facility to acquire operational assets.

He cited Renaissance Africa Energy, Seplat Energy and Oando among indigenous companies that have emerged as significant players in the upstream sector.

Former General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Dr. Ginah Otonye Ginah, also recalled the Board’s investment in staff training and digital literacy initiatives, particularly through ICT centres established in secondary schools in oil-producing communities.

Representing the Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Esueme Dan Kikile, said the retirees had contributed beyond their official responsibilities through knowledge sharing, mentorship and institution building.

He said their experience and relationships continued to shape the Board’s institutional development.

The ceremony featured testimonials from serving staff and former technical assistants, who recounted their experiences with the retirees, alongside cultural performances and a dance session.

Among others honoured were Dr. Ama Ikuru, Adelana Akintunde, Dr. Obinna Ofili, Angela Okoro, Taridouye Gagariga, Ombu Atonbara, Okpetu Gabriel and Peter Isu Odo.