LAGOS, The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) commenced a five-day knowledge-sharing program with the Petroleum Commission of Ghana on Monday, marking a significant step in fostering technical cooperation between the two nations in the oil and gas sector. This initiative underscores NCDMB’s commitment to supporting African oil and gas-producing countries and promoting local content development across the continent.
The program, held at NCDMB’s liaison office in Lagos, aims to enhance the capacity of the Petroleum Commission of Ghana by leveraging NCDMB’s extensive experience, best practices, and established procedures in local content development. The initiative is designed to assist Ghana in creating an effective framework to ensure compliance and deepen local content within its oil and gas industry.
The opening session featured a courtesy visit to NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, who welcomed the Ghanaian delegation. Engr. Ogbe reaffirmed NCDMB’s dedication to advancing African local content and fostering stronger ties between oil-producing nations on the continent.
During the inaugural remarks, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at NCDMB, highlighted the importance of close collaboration among African oil-producing countries. He emphasized that the technological and financial challenges facing the industry cannot be resolved through isolated efforts. Mr. Halilu advocated for the development of unique and specialized capabilities across African nations to facilitate effective intra-continental trade and contribute to the growth of the African economy, in line with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Throughout the week, NCDMB officials will share detailed strategies and operational frameworks, including supplier development initiatives, the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGaPS), and insights into the agency’s structure and operations. Subsequent presentations will cover topics such as Nigerian Content planning, research and statistics, succession planning, the Nigerian Joint Qualification System (NJQS), human capacity building, and the Nigerian Content Equipment Certification (NCEC).
The engagement will also explore the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF), the Projects Certification and Authorization Division (PCAD) templates, and frameworks for Monitoring and Evaluation, as well as Community Content Guidelines and Stakeholder Management strategies.
In addition to NCDMB officials, representatives from the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Project 100 companies, and the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS)—the umbrella body for leading international and indigenous oil companies in Nigeria—will also contribute to the sessions.
The program will conclude on Friday with a review of a draft memorandum of understanding and protocols for data sharing between NCDMB and the Petroleum Commission of Ghana.
This engagement follows similar collaborative efforts by NCDMB with the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) and Mozambique’s Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH) earlier this year. These initiatives are part of NCDMB’s 10-year strategic roadmap, which includes sectoral and regional linkages as a key pillar.
A major initiative under this pillar is NCDMB’s collaboration with the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), which has included several workshops. Notably, the inaugural workshop held in 2021 at the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, introduced the concept of an African Energy Bank. The Energy Bank has since been established under APPO, with its headquarters now approved for Abuja.
