WorldStage– The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reaffirmed that compliance with Nigerian Content regulations in the oil and gas industry remains non-negotiable.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, stated this on Tuesday at the 2026 Nigerian Oil and Gas Midstream and Downstream Stakeholders Summit in Lagos.
Ogbe who was represented by Austin Uzoka, Head of the Directorate of Planning, Research and Statistics said the midstream and downstream sectors remained vital to Nigeria’s economic expansion, industrialisation and job creation efforts.
The summit focused on the theme, ‘Unlocking, Growing and Sustaining Nigerian Content Development in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Midstream and Downstream Sectors.’
Ogbe described the gathering as a strategic platform for shaping the future direction of Nigeria’s energy industry and strengthening indigenous participation.
According to him, reforms, improved regulatory clarity and growing investor confidence are repositioning Nigeria as a leading oil and gas investment destination in Africa.
He noted that the Board, established under the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010, continued promoting local capacity development and technology transfer.
Ogbe added that the Board had also advanced employment opportunities for Nigerians across several segments of the oil and gas industry.
He said Nigerian companies had recorded significant achievements in upstream operations, particularly in exploration, drilling, engineering, fabrication and project management activities.
According to him, the next growth phase lies within the midstream and downstream sectors of the nation’s petroleum industry.
He identified gas processing, transportation infrastructure, storage facilities, LPG and CNG distribution, refining and petrochemical development as major investment opportunities.
Ogbe said Nigeria was gradually reducing dependence on imported refined petroleum products through increased local refining and processing capacity.
He described the Dangote Refinery as a strong symbol of Nigeria’s industrial ambition, energy independence and economic self-sufficiency.
Ogbe stated that modular refineries were equally opening fresh opportunities for indigenous participation, local investment and improved national energy security.
He also highlighted ongoing gas commercialisation projects as important drivers of industrialisation and value addition within the domestic economy.
The NCDMB boss specifically referenced the Nigeria LNG Train 7 project and the Federal Government’s Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas.
According to him, both initiatives would strengthen domestic gas utilisation and support broader industrial growth across the country.
While emphasising the Board’s regulatory responsibilities, Ogbe insisted that compliance with Nigerian Content requirements remained central to industry operations.
“Compliance remains non-negotiable, but it must also be practical, implementable and supportive of investment and business growth,” he said.
He urged policymakers, investors, operators and service providers to deepen collaboration in order to maximise opportunities within the sector.
Ogbe said stronger partnerships would help drive sustainable economic growth, industrial capacity and long-term competitiveness in Nigeria’s energy industry.
The two-day summit attracted major stakeholders from the oil and gas industry to discuss strategies for expanding local content development.
Participants also examined ways to strengthen industrial capacity and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness within the global energy market.
MORE LOCAL PARTICIPATION
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has .
Ogbe who also called for increased indigenous participation in the oil and gas midstream and downstream sectors at the summit said Nigeria must move beyond basic compliance to practical actions that promote investment, local capacity and economic value.
He said the country was witnessing renewed investor confidence and policy reforms aimed at repositioning the economy for sustainable growth.
According to him, the current administration has taken steps to improve competitiveness in the energy sector, attract investments and create a better environment for businesses.
Ogbe noted that the NCDMB was established through the Nigerian oil and gas industry content development Act of 2010 to deepen indigenous participation, encourage technology transfer and ensure Nigerians benefit more from the nation’s hydrocarbon resources.
He said Nigerian companies had already recorded major successes in the upstream sector, including exploration, drilling, engineering, fabrication and asset ownership.
The NCDMB boss added that the midstream sector now offers growing opportunities in gas processing, transportation, storage, pipelines, LPG and CNG distribution, which are critical to Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda.
In the downstream sector, he identified opportunities in refining, product distribution, retail operations, petrochemicals and logistics.
He noted that the segment has strong potential for employment generation and small business growth.
Ogbe said Nigeria was gradually moving away from being only a crude oil producer to becoming a major processor and exporter of refined energy products.
He described the Dangote Refinery as a major symbol of the country’s industrial transformation.
He also highlighted the progress in modular refineries, NLNG Train 7, gas commercialisation, LPG penetration and fertilizer production.
He stressed that compliance with Nigerian content laws must remain practical and supportive of business growth.
“Compliance must encourage investment, create value and solve real problems,” he said.
Ogbe expressed confidence that the summit would promote stronger collaboration among stakeholders and help strengthen the energy sector and economy.
