Nigeria’s oil and gas sector took center stage on Tuesday as the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) brought decades of industry expertise to the opening of the 2025 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference in Windhoek. Their participation marks another milestone in the ongoing collaboration to promote African local content, create cross-border opportunities, and expand market access for Nigerian oil and gas companies.
The high-profile event attracted policymakers, international oil and gas operators, service companies, Namibian indigenous players, and key industry stakeholders, all focused on strengthening the local content framework in Namibia’s emerging energy sector. The NCDMB delegation was led by Executive Secretary Engr. Felix Ogbe, represented by Director of Corporate Services Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, while PETAN was represented by its Chairman and NCDMB Governing Council member, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya.
Speaking during the Local Content Masterclass, Dr. Halilu outlined strategic approaches for African oil-producing nations to deepen local content capacity. He highlighted that the value proposition for Africa lies in research and technology innovation, local job creation, strategic partnerships, ownership of critical assets, value chain optimisation, sustainable operations, increased production, and greater utilisation of locally manufactured goods all contributing to GDP growth. He underscored the regulatory, developmental, and promotional roles that governments must play to accelerate supplier development.
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Using Nigeria as a benchmark, Dr. Halilu showcased NCDMB’s achievements, including the establishment of world-class fabrication and construction yards, massive investments in human capital, the growth of service sectors, financing initiatives for local businesses, and the integration capability for Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facilities. He revealed that Nigeria’s latest local content drive focuses on equipment assembly, component manufacturing, SME growth, enforcement of research and technology transfer, and prioritisation of gas-based industrialisation.
He urged African oil-producing nations to specialise in niche manufacturing and service areas within the energy sector, ensuring each country develops competitive advantages that allow for intra-African trade and joint contributions to complex oil and gas equipment manufacturing. Drawing parallels with Boeing aircraft production, he noted how various countries can supply critical components for a single product, boosting efficiency and competitiveness across the continent.
Dr. Halilu emphasised that local content development must be treated as a long-term business strategy rather than a corporate social responsibility project. He called for regulations that apply to all industry players, greater grassroots inclusion, and the need for continuous project development to sustain growth. “Nigeria is ready to partner with Namibia and other African nations to build an energy sector that empowers our people and drives shared prosperity,” he assured.
The opening day also featured a presentation by NCDMB’s General Manager of Human Capacity Development, Esueme Dan Kikile, who shared success stories from Nigeria’s robust human capital development initiatives. The session underscored Nigeria’s commitment to knowledge transfer, capacity building, and the creation of a sustainable, locally-driven oil and gas industry across Africa.
