NCDMB retirees recount local content growth from 5% to 61%
Former directors reflect on early resistance to the NOGICD Act, indigenous industry participation and the milestones that shaped the Board.
The growth of Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry from five percent in 2010 to 61 percent today was a central theme as the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) honoured 14 retired staff members for their contributions to the development of local content in Nigeria.
At a Retirees’ Celebration Dinner held on Friday at the Conference Centre of the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, former directors and other pioneering staff recounted the challenges of implementing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, and the milestones recorded in building indigenous capacity in the sector.
The retirees received Special Awards of Excellence in recognition of their years of service across the Board’s directorates.
Mohammed Babaginda Umar, a former Director of the Legal Services Directorate, recalled the resistance that greeted the NOGICD Act when it was introduced, noting that many major oil and gas companies were initially reluctant to embrace its provisions.
The law was designed to increase Nigerian participation in the industry by promoting the use of local goods, services and skilled personnel. However, securing industry-wide understanding and compliance required sustained engagement, tact and an explanation of the benefits of local content development.
“Local content was new in the oil and gas sector,” Umar said, describing the effort to get industry operators to understand and comply with the law as a major challenge for the Directorate.
He noted that companies had gradually embraced the framework and become partners in its implementation, contributing to the increase in Nigerian content from five per cent in 2010 to 61 per cent.
“Local content has come to stay,” he said, adding that other African countries now look to Nigeria to learn from its experience. He urged serving staff to sustain the progress recorded by the Board.
For Daziba Patrick Obah, a former Director of Planning, Research and Statistics and Acting Executive Secretary of NCDMB from 2016 to 2017, the Board’s development involved overcoming challenges beyond regulatory implementation.
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Obah, who later served as Director of Corporate Services, recalled the difficulties encountered during the construction of the 17-storey Nigerian Content Tower, particularly across its substructure and superstructure phases.
He also highlighted the early funding challenges associated with research and development, which he described as essential to building local capacity in an emerging area of industry development. While opinions differed over whether the Board or oil and gas operators should bear the cost of research, NCDMB assumed responsibility and demonstrated its capacity to manage research projects.
One milestone, he said, was the successful hosting of the maiden Research and Development Fair and Conference in Lagos in September 2017.
Isaac Yalah, another former Director of Planning, Research and Statistics who had previously served in Finance and Personnel Management, highlighted the role of institutional support and access to finance in expanding indigenous participation.
He described the US$350 million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF) as a game changer for Nigerian service companies, which were able to access single-digit-interest financing to acquire operational assets and strengthen their participation in the industry.
Yalah also pointed to the emergence of indigenous companies, including Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Seplat Energy and Oando, as evidence of the opportunities created by local content development.
He urged serving staff to remain committed to learning and continuous improvement.
Former General Manager of Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Dr. Ginah Otonye Ginah, reflected on the professional development opportunities and dedication he witnessed during his time at the Board.
He particularly highlighted NCDMB’s efforts to promote digital awareness and literacy in oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta and other areas through the establishment of information and communication technology centres in secondary schools.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Esueme Dan Kikile, said the celebration recognised the contributions of staff whose work helped shape the Board’s growth and institutional development.
He noted that the retirees’ impact extended beyond their official responsibilities to include mentoring colleagues, sharing knowledge, building professional relationships and strengthening institutional experience.
On behalf of Management and staff, Kikile wished the retirees good health, happiness and fulfilment in the years ahead.
The celebration also featured testimonials from serving staff members who had worked closely with the retirees, including former technical assistants who recounted their experiences and the professional guidance they received. The session highlighted the lasting influence of the retirees on colleagues and the institution.
A dance session and cultural performance added to the evening’s activities, providing an opportunity for the retirees and their former colleagues to reconnect.
Other award recipients were Dr. Ama Ikuru, former Director of Capacity Building; Adelana Akintunde, former Director of Monitoring and Evaluation; Dr. Obinna Ofili, former Director of Finance and Personnel Administration; Angela Okoro, former General Manager of Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination; Taridouye Gagariga, former Manager of Properties; Ombu Atonbara, former Manager of Audit; Okpetu Gabriel, former Deputy Manager of Capacity Building; and Peter Isu Odo, former Manager of Security.
