If you have been paying attention to Africa’s oil and gas scene, you might have noticed that Nigeria’s local content story keeps making headlines. It is one of those rare African success cases, built over years of persistence, regulation, and innovation, that other nations now want to replicate.

That is why, on the opening day of the 2025 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference in Windhoek, Nigeria’s experience became the go-to reference point for discussions on how oil wealth can truly benefit local people.

The Namibian conference brought together policymakers, international oil giants, local Namibian operators, and service providers, all with a shared goal: to strengthen Namibia’s own local content framework while exploring Africa-wide cooperation.

Nigeria’s delegation was one of the most prominent, with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) teaming up with the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN). Leading the delegation was Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, Director of Corporate Services, who represented Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the NCDMB Executive Secretary. On PETAN’s side, the team was led by its Chairman, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya, who also serves on the NCDMB Governing Council.

Also Read: Nigeria’s oil output hits 2025 Peak as Dangote Refinery cuts petrol price

During the Local Content Masterclass, Dr. Halilu laid out a roadmap for how African oil-producing countries can boost their local capabilities. His strategy revolved around practical economic drivers, investing in research and technology, creating jobs locally, forging strategic partnerships, developing local asset ownership, optimising the oil and gas value chain, and building sustainable operations. These are not charity projects, but smart economic strategies that raise GDP and keep value within our borders.

Using Nigeria as a case study, he pointed to concrete achievements: the establishment of world-class fabrication and construction yards, human capital development programmes, manufacturing initiatives, a thriving oilfield services sector, targeted financial support schemes, and the ability to integrate Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facilities locally.

Nigeria’s “new wave” of local content growth, he added, is about moving beyond services into equipment assembly, component manufacturing, SME development, and enforcement of technology transfer and R&D. The country is also prioritising gas-based industrialisation, a key shift as the global energy market diversifies.

One of his most compelling ideas was a call for pan-African collaboration in manufacturing oil and gas equipment. Drawing a comparison with Boeing aircraft production, where different parts are built by specialised manufacturers in various locations before final assembly, he suggested African nations could each develop niche strengths and trade among themselves. Imagine if each African country specialised in one segment of production. We could build complex systems together and keep the value chain within Africa.

Dr. Halilu also shared what he called “local content truths”. Successful local content implementation, he said, is a marathon, not a sprint; it must be run like a business, not treated as corporate social responsibility. Regulations must be applied equally to local and foreign operators, and policies must be consistent, coordinated, and mindful of grassroots realities. Without new projects in the pipeline, he warned, there is no foundation for sustainable local content growth.

Reinforcing this people-first message, NCDMB’s General Manager for Human Capacity Development, Esueme Dan Kikile, presented success stories from Nigeria’s skill-building programmes, underscoring that human talent, not just industrial policy, is at the heart of the country’s progress.

As the conference continues through Friday, Nigeria’s delegation will feature in more presentations and panel discussions, with PETAN Chairman Wole Ogunsanya also set to share insights. The message they are delivering is clear: Africa’s oil and gas future can, and should be built by Africans, for Africans.

Meiza Nigeria