The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has announced that Nigerian content levels in the petroleum industry have risen to 61% marking a significant step towards the national target of 70% by 2027
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr. Felix Ogbe, disclosed this on Tuesday during his keynote address at the 2025 Practical Nigerian Content Forum held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
“At this point, I am happy to announce that Nigerian Content levels in the projects monitored by the Board have increased from 56% to 61%,” he said.
Ogbe said the latest figures reflect steady progress in the implementation of the Board’s 10-year roadmap, which aims to deepen local participation and retain value within the country. He also unveiled a $100 million Nigerian Content Equity Investment Fund, which will be managed by the Bank of Industry to support high-growth indigenous energy service companies.
According to him, the Board has made notable advancements in several strategic areas, including the establishment of the Nigerian Content Academy and the commencement of construction at the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre. He added that the Board had rolled out the Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Programme to equip Nigerians with the top ten in-demand skills for the industry. Over 11,000 applications have been received so far for the initiative.
Ogbe noted that more programmes aimed at strengthening local capacity and boosting industry productivity would be introduced in the coming year.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, told participants that the Federal Government had worked hard to restore investor confidence and convince some international oil companies that previously exited Nigeria to return. He, however, called for a balanced approach to implementing the Nigerian Content Act to avoid disrupting industry operations.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpoh, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the oil and gas sector delivers meaningful benefits to Nigerians.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Nimibofa Ayawei, said the state continues to bear the environmental and economic burdens of hosting the country’s oil and gas activities.
Other speakers at the forum included the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Joel Onowakpor-Thomas, and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Local Content, Hon. Boma Goodhead.
The 2025 edition of the forum, organised by DMG Events in partnership with the NCDMB, is themed “Securing Investments, Strengthening Local Content and Scaling Energy Production.”
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