Connecting to the world via NCDMB’s ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ line pipes
What’s the progress on existing made-in-Nigeria pipe projects, a workshop recently hosted in Yenagoa in Bayelsa State simply asked.
When the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) says it means business about Made-in-Nigeria, it is not playing around. On Thursday, March 6, 2025, the industry heavyweights gathered in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for a one-day workshop that’s got everyone buzzing. The focus? Line pipes. Yes, those seamless and welded pipes that may seem mundane but are, in fact, the lifeline of oil and gas operations.
Now, what made this meeting stand out? It wasn’t just a random get-together. Heavy hitters like the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) and the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) were in the room, alongside key pipe manufacturers, coaters, and even representatives from the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS).
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They all came to one conclusion at the one-day Stakeholders Workshop on Manufacturing of Line Pipes in Nigeria: Processes, Challenges, and Opportunities, which was held at the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT): it’s time to take full control of Nigeria’s line pipe manufacturing game.
Why do line pipes matter?
Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, didn’t mince words. Represented by the Board’s Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, he described line pipes as a critical driver in oil and gas operations.
Without line pipes, you cannot evacuate products, he emphasised. But it’s not just about pipes; it’s about connecting Nigeria to the world—and creating jobs while at it.
The session drilled down into the potential of making 100 percent of these pipes locally—a goal enshrined in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010. Thirteen years on, everyone agreed it’s high time for real progress.
6 questions that could change the industry
The workshop wasn’t all talk. Key stakeholders got grilled with six pressing questions, including:
– Should Nigeria continue its focus on local pipe manufacturing?
– What’s the progress on existing made-in-Nigeria pipe projects?
– What policies and incentives are needed to boost local manufacturing?
The response, in retrospect, was a resounding “yes” to continuing this journey. But the devil, as they say, is in the details.
Updates from the field
Representatives from top manufacturers shared both progress and hurdles. Brentex Petroleum Services Limited, for instance, has invested over $64 million in its Calabar plant but needs an additional $176 million to go the distance.
Their Managing Director, Mr. Chidi Nzerem, assured stakeholders that within 36 months—pending funding—those pipes would start rolling out.
Meanwhile, Frigate Pipe and Tubulars Limited is nearing completion of its seamless pipe mill. The plant is set to meet an annual demand of 120,000 metric tonnes in Nigeria alone.
Over at Yulong Steel Pipes Limited, they’re gearing up for a comeback after a five-year hiatus, with sights set on big projects like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline.
The bigger picture remains
It’s not just Nigeria that stands to benefit. Dr. Ama Ikuru, NCDMB’s Director of Capacity Building, pointed out opportunities across Africa, citing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a game-changer.
Projects like the Transmed Gas Pipeline and African Renaissance Pipeline could pave the way for Nigerian manufacturers to leave their mark on the continent.
Naturally, there are hurdles. Funding remains a top concern, with calls for long-term, affordable credit facilities.
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Manufacturers also asked for more support from NCDMB, particularly to curb illegal imports of coated pipes. Dr. Ikuru encouraged whistleblowing to tackle such issues and suggested forming a draft bill to involve the Customs Department in enforcement.
International oil companies like Shell, Exxon Mobil, and TotalEnergies expressed commitment to supporting local manufacturers.
Supply Chain Manager Chioma Okpoechi from Shell revealed that $115 million is set to be spent on line pipes in the next four years, urging local manufacturers to meet quality and timeliness standards.
Indigenous players like Seplat Energy and First Exploration & Production also pledged full support, further cementing optimism for made-in-Nigeria line pipes.
A call to sync like music
The workshop wrapped up with a shared sense of purpose: Platforms like this must continue. Manufacturers and financial institutions need to come together to address the funding gap.
In the end, NCDMB received well-earned praise for its role as an enabler but was reminded there’s more to do.
As Nigeria—and Africa—takes bold steps toward industrial self-reliance, initiatives like this are more than just a pipe dream.
They’re a tangible connection to the world, with jobs, innovation, and economic growth waiting on the other side. The future of made-in-Nigeria line pipes has never looked brighter.
Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
