Ogbe Unveils New Local Content Reforms, $100m Equity Scheme at 14th Practical Nigerian Content Forum
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe (FNSE, FIPS), on Tuesday delivered the Opening Keynote Address at the 14th Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum 2025, unveiling a series of major policy reforms and strategic programmes designed to strengthen local content, secure investments and boost Nigeria’s energy production capacity.
Speaking on the theme “Securing Investments, Strengthening Local Content and Scaling Energy Production,” Ogbe outlined new initiatives and progress updates that, according to him, will “shape the future of Nigerian Content implementation” in the years ahead.
At the centre of the new measures is the $100 million Nigerian Content Equity Investment Scheme, launched in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to support high-growth indigenous energy service companies. The fund, he said, will provide vital equity and quasi-equity financing to help Nigerian firms scale competitiveness, expand capacity and deepen participation across the oil and gas value chain.
Ogbe also announced the introduction of an NCDF Compliance Certificate, a new regulatory instrument that will officially take effect on January 1, 2026, to validate adherence to the mandatory 1% Nigerian Content Development Fund remittance. This move, he emphasized, will enhance accountability and strengthen governance compliance across the industry.
On community participation, the Executive Secretary disclosed that the Community Contractors Programme recorded over 94 disbursements in 2025, enabling more local contractors to benefit from structured financing and capacity development.
Providing an update on Project 100, Ogbe revealed that an exit plan has been set for April 2026, while a new cohort of indigenous companies will be onboarded under a refreshed framework designed to support scale and sustainability.
He further confirmed significant progress on the NOGAPS Industrial Parks in Odukpani and Emeyal 1, noting that legal and fiscal frameworks have been finalized for operations to commence in 2026.
In the area of capacity building, Ogbe highlighted the delivery of seven lectures under the Nigerian Content Academy Lecture Series, covering critical topics aimed at enhancing industry knowledge and professional development.
A major highlight of his address was the announcement that construction of the long-awaited Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre is officially underway, with delivery targeted within 30 months.
The Board also confirmed that Nigerian Content Equipment Certificates (NCECs) will become non-transferable from January 2026, a decisive step to curb abuse and reinforce the integrity of the certification process.
Looking ahead, Ogbe disclosed that preparations are in top gear for the 2026 Research & Development Fair and Technology Challenge, which will focus on accelerating innovation and indigenous technology deployment.
The Executive Secretary also revealed that the Field Readiness Training Programme has attracted over 11,000 applications, targeting high-demand oil and gas technical skills for Nigerian youth.
Providing insight into national project oversight, he listed several major operations currently under NCDMB monitoring, including Bonga North, the AKK Pipeline, OB3 Gas Pipeline, NLNG Train 7, Ubeta Gas, among others.
He also highlighted the Board’s Back-to-Creek STEM Initiative, which is equipping rural Niger Delta communities with modern ICT, science, and innovation hubs to strengthen STEM education.
Ogbe announced a significant rise in Nigerian Content performance, which has grown from 56% to 61% across monitored projects, reflecting sustained industry-wide adoption of local content principles.
Concluding his address, Engr. Ogbe issued a rallying call to stakeholders:
“The work before us is significant, but so is the opportunity. Let us move forward with renewed purpose as Nigerian Content remains critical to national development and industrialization.”
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