NCDMB Implementing Nigeria First Policy To Boost Local Content – Ogbe

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) says it has begun implementing the federal government’s “Nigeria First Policy” into its operational systems, with a view to transforming the policy into visible progress in the oil and gas industry.

Speaking at the Nigerian Content Seminar during the 24th edition of the Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week 2025 in Abuja, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, described the move as part of a broader commitment to deepen local content, stimulate economic growth, and prioritize Nigerian-made goods and services.

The seminar, themed “Achieving Energy Sufficiency through Local Content Implementation,” showcased the Board’s renewed focus on self-reliance through the prioritization of indigenous capabilities.

Ogbe said the Board is developing a “Nigeria First Procurement Policy” and integrating the new policy into key internal processes, such as reviewing and approving Nigerian Content Plans and issuing Nigerian Content Compliance Certificates.

“This policy is not just aspirational, it is actionable. We are taking deliberate steps to incorporate it into how we operate, ensuring that local content is not just promoted but enforced where possible,” Ogbe said.

According to him, the Nigeria First Policy aligns with Section 3(1) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, which mandates first consideration for Nigerian goods and services, provided they meet industry standards.

Ogbe said the Federal Government had taken several bold steps since the enactment of the NOGICD Act in 2010 to support local content development.

These include the issuance of Executive Orders 001 and 005 to improve ease of doing business and give preference to Nigerian companies in procurement.

He noted that the Board had also developed and issued guidelines to implement the Presidential Directives on Local Content Requirements.

Central to the Board’s efforts is the “Back-To-The-Creek Programme,” which he said supports the Nigeria First Policy by building the human capital needed for the industry, especially in riverine communities.

According to him, the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Eight-Point Agenda and focuses on equipping youths in the creeks with vocational skills, ICT training, and STEM education.

He added that the programme is also digitizing school curricula and providing scholarships to outstanding students from these communities.

As part of its implementation strategy, the Board will commission baseline studies to map existing local capacity, identify Nigerian service providers, and assess the capacity of local manufacturers of industry consumables.

Ogbe emphasized that the policy represents a clear intent by the government to reclaim economic independence through local content.

“The Nigeria First Policy is founded on a principle that locally produced goods or services will not be sourced from abroad unless there is a clear and justifiable reason,” he said.

The 2025 NOG Energy Week, themed “Accelerating Global Energy Progress through Investment, Partnerships, and Innovation,” is scheduled to be formally opened on Tuesday.