By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has called for improved access to oil and gas assets, funding, technology and markets to strengthen indigenous companies and enable them to compete more effectively in the global energy industry.
The Board stressed that Nigerian oil and gas firms must build their technical capacity, strengthen their financial base and improve their competitiveness to take advantage of opportunities across the industry.
According to a statement signed by Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, General Manager, Corporate Communications Division, NCDMB, the call was made at the 2026 Energy Conference of the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC), held on October 8 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
Speaking on behalf of the Board, Ezeobi said the conference theme, *“Access to Assets: Empowering Players and Driving Growth,”* aligns with the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, which seeks to increase indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector.
He explained that the Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap, launched in 2017, aims to increase local content participation to 70 per cent by 2027. The roadmap is designed to improve access to critical assets, develop local expertise and strengthen the capacity of indigenous operating and service companies.
Ezeobi highlighted the NCDMB’s interventions to help Nigerian businesses access financing, acquire technical capabilities and secure more opportunities within the oil and gas value chain.
He identified the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund) as one of the Board’s major initiatives, noting that more than 130 indigenous companies had accessed over $400 million through the fund, which is domiciled with the Bank of Industry and the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank).
He also cited Project 100, which supports high-potential indigenous companies through capacity development, market access, financial linkages and tailored business support.
Other initiatives include the Nigerian Content Equipment Certification (NCEC), the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGaPS) and vendor development programmes, all aimed at expanding local participation and improving the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses.
According to him, the Board is also facilitating partnerships between Nigerian and foreign companies while encouraging regional collaboration to help indigenous firms expand into international markets.
Ezeobi said local content participation in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry had grown from five per cent in 2010 to 61 per cent, reflecting progress made since the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act.
He, however, stressed that achieving the next phase of growth would require greater investment in technology, workforce development and efficient business systems to enable Nigerian companies to compete successfully in international markets.
Earlier, NAEC Chairman, Ugo Amadi, called for increased opportunities for indigenous companies to acquire and develop oil and gas assets.
Amadi identified high entry costs, funding constraints and lengthy approval processes as major obstacles preventing local companies from fully participating in asset ownership and development.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Engr. Wole Ogunsanya, called for stronger collaboration and consolidation among indigenous oilfield service companies.
He said cooperation would enable companies to pool their technical capabilities and resources, positioning them to undertake larger and more complex projects.
The Conference Chairman and Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Enterprise Group, Kola Adesina, represented by the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Bethel Obioma, said access to opportunities in the energy sector should go beyond asset ownership to include capital, technology, partnerships and markets.
Adesina noted that access to ideas, mentors, funding and strategic partnerships was essential for businesses seeking to grow and achieve lasting transformation.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, represented by his Senior Technical Adviser, Engr. Abel Nsa, said Nigeria must move beyond ownership of its vast gas resources to developing them and converting them into sustainable economic value.
He explained that the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative seeks to promote the use of natural gas for industrialisation, power generation, transportation, manufacturing, fertiliser production and wider adoption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
The initiative is expected to support industrial growth, expand economic opportunities and strengthen the contribution of Nigeria’s gas resources to national development.
