Nigeria’s local content successes in the oil and gas industry was a constant reference point in discussions at the 2025 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference which commenced on Tuesday in Windhoek, the nation’s capital city.

The Tide learnt that in attendance at the event are policymakers, international oil and gas operating and service companies, Namibian indigenous players and other stakeholders.

A statement from the NCDMB’S Directorate of  Corporate Communications states that the goal of the conference is to enhance the local content ecosystem in the Southern African country’s evolving oil and gas industry.

The statement also added that the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), are participating at the event in furtherance of their collaboration in the promotion of African local content, creation of opportunities and new markets for Nigerian oil and gas companies.

The Tide further gathered that the Board’s delegation was led by the Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Director, Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, while the PETAN team is led by its Chairman and member of NCDMB Governing Council, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya.

The NCDMB’S Scribe delivered a presentation at the Local Content Masterclass at the opening ceremony where he outlined a number of strategies that African oil producing countries can adopt to grow their local content capabilities.

“Local content value proposition for Africa include research and technology development, local employment, strategic partnerships, ownership and control of assets, value chain optimisation, sustainable operations, increase production and utilization of locally made goods and contribution to gross domestic product (GDP)”, he said.

Ogbe also identified government’s role in supplier development as regulatory, developmental and promotional, using Nigeria as an instance.

 He listed key achievements of the NCDMB to include the establishment of world class fabrication and construction yards, human capital development, manufacturing initiative, service sector growth, financial support and establishment of integration capability for floating production and storage and offloading facility (FPSO).

Speaking on the new wave of local content development in Nigeria, the Executive Secretary pointed to the promotion of equipment assembly and components manufacturing, development of small and medium enterprises, enforcement of research and development and technology transfer as well as prioritization of gas based industrialisation.

Dwelling on strategies that would support the growth of African local content, he urged oil-producing countries to specialise in different manufacturing and service areas of the oil and gas industry and develop their competencies to the right specifications, stressing that that will enable the countries to trade among themselves and contribute towards the manufacturing of complex oil and gas equipment.

He cited an example with the Boeing aircraft, which has critical components produced by different original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and assembled at a designated factory, noting that such a model will ensure that each African country develops a competitive advantage contribute effectively to the African oil and gas industry.

 “Local Content implementation is not a sprint but a marathon and must be executed as a business and not as corporate social responsibility. Local content must also be cost effective and local peculiarities must be given key considerations.

“Local content regulations must apply to all players in the industry and not only foreign companies or expatriates and the implementation takes time, consistency, and coordination.

“Capacity building initiatives should include grassroots and underserved communities. Local content practice would not grow if new projects are not developed. Nigeria is ready to partner with Namibia and other African nations to build an energy sector that empower the African people and drive shared prosperity”, Ogbe stated.

The statement from the Board’s Directorate of Corporate Communications also noted that the first day of the event featured a presentation by the Board’s General Manager, Human Capacity Development, Barr. Esueme Dan Kikile in which he shared the Board’s success stories in human capital development.

The conference is billed to end today.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa