Nation
Stakeholders Advocate Local Solutions To Challenges In Africa’s Oil And Gas Industry
Key stakeholders and policy leaders in Africa’s oil and gas industry, and other related sectors have stressed the need for Africa to look within for solutions to Africa’s problems in the face of global economic challenges.
The stakeholders who gathered at the third edition of the African Local Content Roundtable which took place in Abuja between October 25 and 26, 2023 with the theme “Fostering Local Content In Africa for Africans,” jointly agreed that the concept of local content is not merely a policy, but a catalyst for transformation.
They noted that the roundtable is a conduit through which inspirations can be channelled into concrete achievements.
Setting the context at the Pan-African engagement, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Engr. Simbi Wabote, noted that one of the greatest challenges bedevilling the African Oil and Gas industry is local manufacturing of components.
According to him, “90 percent if not more of the equipment that we use are imported because we’ve not focused on how to manufacture some of the components in-country.”
While noting that “the importance of developing homegrown cost-effective affordable and scalable solutions to address local challenges cannot be overemphasised,” the NCDMB boss identified prioritisation of research and development as well as funding as key to delivering local content goals on the continent.
He, therefore, called for robust engagements on quality service and equipment manufacturing, cross-border partnerships, intensive out-of-the-box thinking and improvement of funding sources or leveraging additional funding sources to overcome the funding challenges of oil and gas producing countries.
“The time for change is now and it is our collective responsibility to usher in a new era of local content development and implementation in Africa’s oil and gas industry,” said Wabote, adding that “the NCDMB stands as a key advocate In local content development not just in Nigeria but Africa as a whole.”
Similarly, the Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO), Omar Farouk, lamented that Africa has continued to be dependent on foreign oil and gas technologies despite being in the oil producing business for nearly 100 years and making billions from oil and gas projects.
“We have sadly been conditioned to believe that such dependency is normal. More alarming is the fact that the African continent has the highest proportion of its population living in energy poverty with over 600 million Africans living without access to electricity and millions of others living without any access to modern energy. 70% of the oil we produce is exported. 70% of the gas is also exported”, Farouk said.
“Africa must be allowed to use its affordable and readily available source of energy mainly oil and gas. Today’s developed countries used it to get to where they are today, we must be allowed to also use it to lift the living conditions of our people and get them out of poverty”, he added.
While challenging stakeholders to take advantage of the roundtable in addressing the legitimate concerns, Farouk assured of APPO’s commitment to changing “the pathetic situation.”
On his part, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said that the theme of this year’s Roundtable is “very appropriate for Africa to evolve from not just supplying raw materials, but developing capacity and capability to explore, produce and process its hydrocarbons resources into petroleum derivatives for its own use.”
He commended the NCDMB, APPO and Heritage Times (HT) for organising the roundtable which he said “aligns with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu that is anchored on positioning the Nigerian economy to look inward for goods, services and manpower needs of strategic sectors of the economy.”
Also present at the event was the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kolo Kyari, who stressed the need for Africa to prioritise and promote local content development in all aspects of operations.
According to him, “Africa must ensure a future where it is driving the technological advancement and innovation that is tailored to address our peculiar challenges. The continent must also ensure a just energy transition in line with climate change objectives. This means we must begin to empower local businesses, create jobs and add value to our economies beyond what we have done in the past decade. Therefore, this is a call to a commitment to utilising our own resources, expertise and workforce to maximise the benefits of our energy sector.”
Represented by the Chief Innovation Officer NNPCL, Muniru Mai, the GCEO said the state oil company “understands the importance of local content and have made it the centre of our operations, we are committed to achieving the highest level of local content in all of our projects from upstream exploration to downstream activities.”
As part of activities lined up for the first day of the local content roundtable, stakeholders went on a visiting tour to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Research, Development and Innovation Centre in Abuja.
The tour saw stakeholders observe the need for the centre to double its effort in forging partnerships, collaboration and cooperation with African peers with a view to delivering on local content goals in the oil and gas industry. They also assured the centre of providing any support it needs to help foster local content in Africa’s oil and gas industry.
A visiting tour was also paid to Amal Technology, a gas leak detector production facility. Notably, the company is a project that was instituted and supported by the NCDMB.
The tour allowed stakeholders to evaluate the impact of the NCDMB in initiating and catalysing the growth of indigenous oil and gas companies.
Activities of the fast-growing company struck chords of excitement in the APPO scribe who not only lauded the efforts of the Board but appreciated how far Amal Technology has come in just 5 years.
“Africa is changing. Time was when success was measured on import capacity. We live in an age where ideas, indigenous capacity and exports define success. We can only transform the continent by looking within,” said Ibrahim.
“We are happy to see NCDMB supporting young men and women to chart a path in Africa’s oil and gas industry which has a future. At APPO we understand the importance of partnership and are ever ready to provide Amal Technology the support it needs.”
Since its maiden edition, the African local content roundtable has continued to play an important role in advancing local content development across Africa by raising awareness of its importance, formulating supportive policies and ultimately strengthening capacities of capabilities of local players across the oil and gas value chain.
The 3rd edition of the African Local Content Roundtable aims to review innovative approaches instituted by the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) Member Countries to drive Local Content development and sustainability of Africa’s hydrocarbon resources.
The yearly series of the Roundtable which was conceived and first hosted by the Nigerian Content Monitoring and Development Board (NCDMB), was subsequently institutionalized as an APPO Project following the huge success of the inaugural edition held between June 3 & 4, 2021, at the NCDMB Towers in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Rivers State University and the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education jointly hosted a two-day National Conference on 8 and 9 May 2026 to examine the state of values in Nigeria.
The two days conference held at Rivers State University convocation arena brought together academics, policymakers, legal experts and education leaders under the theme _“Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values in Nigeria.”_
The gathering focused on policy gaps, curriculum reform, and the role of ethics in public service and education.
The event opened on Friday with remarks from Vice Chancellor Prof. Chief Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who stressed the need to address declining moral and civic values across Nigeria’s education and public sectors. A book of abstracts for the plenary sessions was also presented to participants.
Key speakers included former Attorney General Chief Dr Kanu Agabi, SAN; NERDC Executive Secretary Prof. Shehu Salisu; Prof. Hauwa Imam, FNAE, of the University of Abuja; former Rivers SUBEB Chairman Ven Dr Fyneface Akah, ; former NIMASA DG Dr Hon. Dakuku Adol-Peterside; and RSU Director of ICT Prof. Sunny Orike.
Discussions centered on integrating values education into schools, tertiary institutions and public institutions, alongside the impact of technology on moral development among young Nigerians. Panel and plenary sessions produced practical recommendations for curriculum and policy reform.
On Saturday, the foundation marked its centenary with the unveiling of the book _Otonti Nduka in History_, launched by Chief Engr. Grant Offor, FNSE. The Nigerian Academy of Education held a ceremonial procession led by its President Prof. Olu Jegede and the Ikwerre Professors Forum.
In a communiqué, participants called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society and academia to mainstream values education nationwide. They recommended reviewing teacher training curricula and expanding digital platforms to promote ethical civic engagement, with the foundation pledging to share the outcomes with education authorities for implementation.
Dignitaries present included Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide as Chief Host, Prof. Emeritus Chief T. Uzodimma Nwala, the Ikenga 1 of Mbaise and first philosophy student of Prof. Otonti Nduka, alongside scholars and community leaders.
Amadi Akujobi
The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.
The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.
Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.
He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.
“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.
Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.
He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.
Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.
He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.
According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.
Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.
He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.
The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.
Chairman of MAN, Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okuku, described gas as indispensable to industrial operations, noting that many manufacturers continue to struggle with the high cost of alternative energy sources.
Similarly, President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga, said the transition to natural gas had become increasingly necessary for businesses seeking stable and cost-efficient operations.
“Pipeline natural gas provides a more cost-effective and reliable source of energy for industries,” she stated.
Also speaking, former Chairman of MAN in Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs. Emilia Akpan, stressed the need to align energy infrastructure development with investment in human capacity.
She maintained that rebuilding the state’s economy would require not only reliable energy supply but also the development of technical skills needed to support long-term industrial growth.
By Kevin Nengia
The City Boy Movement in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers state has commended Senator Allwell Onyesoh on his victory in the APC primary election for Rivers East Senatorial District.
Chairman of the group in Etche, Dr. Fortune Uchenna Obi, spoke to journalists in Okehi Ward after participating in Monday’s direct primary. He described Onyesoh’s emergence as the party’s candidate for the 2027 senatorial election as a reflection of the people’s will.
Dr. Obi said the senator has performed well during his first term and deserves re-election. He also thanked FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, leader of the Renewed Hope Agenda and Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State, for supporting Onyesoh’s candidacy. According to him, Wike’s backing was instrumental to the senator’s nomination, clearance, and victory at the primary.
He further praised voters in Etche and across Rivers East for turning out in large numbers at ward centers and urged them to sustain the support to ensure Onyesoh’s success in the January 2027 general election.
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