The Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB) has continued to develop and expand the frontiers of the nation’s oil and gas industry. Apart from religious adherence to the provisions of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content (NOGIC) Act which underpins its existence as an agency, the board has remained proactive by anticipating trends and challenges that could beset the industry in future and proffering the necessary elixir.
With the refrain of energy transition dominating discussions in the global oil industry, NCDMB recognizing the crucial role youths could play in Nigeria’s quest to key into the transition, fashioned out a youth focused program to prepare the youths to take strategic positions in the oil and gas value chain as the transition unfolds. The Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Youth Forum, thus, becomes a veritable avenue to expose the youths to the intricacies and demands for active involvement and participation in the oil industry value chain.
The 2025 Practical Nigerian Content, ( PNC) Youth Forum which opened in Yenagoa, Bayelsa on Tuesday, December 2 2025 was yet another opportunity to take selected youths through what it takes to become active players in the oil and gas value chain. In his address to the youths at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Ogbe spoke from the depth of his emotions, charging the youths to imbibe positive attitudes and open up themselves to the opportunities inherent in the oil and gas value chain.
“It is my profound pleasure to address you at this year’s PNC 2025 Youth Event, a platform that continues to grow in importance as we collectively shape the future of our energy sector and, indeed, our nation.
“Today, we gather not just to discuss issues, but to chart new pathways-pathways toward meaningful youth engagement, responsible participation in the oil and gas value chain, and sustainable development for our communities,” Ogbe said.
He stated that Nigeria stands at the defining moment where global energy systems are rapidly transforming; hence Nigeria must prepare for a future that balances traditional oil and gas operations with cleaner and more innovative energy solutions. “At the heart of this transition is you-the Nigerian youth. You are not just the leaders of tomorrow; you are contributors and solution-creators today. Your creativity, digital literacy, and entrepreneurial capacity are crucial assets for solving some of our most pressing challenges.
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“NCDMB recognizes your central role, and this event is one of many interventions designed to empower, inform, and prepare you for opportunities ahead”, the executive secretary said through the official who represented him.
According to him, the NCDMB has over the years invested heavily in human capacity development, entrepreneurship programs, technical training, and targeted youth initiatives. He said the investments are strategically targeted to build a competent, globally competitive Nigerian workforce that drives in-country value creation across the entire energy sector. He added that the event would expose them to hear from experts across regulatory agencies, academia, security institutions, and industry partners who will discuss among others, pathways for youth participation in the oil and gas value chain, skills that will shape the future of work in energy and how to register on the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System (NOGICJQS).
Ogbe however enjoined the youths to refrain from engaging in pipeline vandalism and restiveness that destroys the environment; discourage investment, and opportunities for legitimate youth empowerment. He maintained that Nigerian youths must be champions of protection- not destruction of the national assets.
The executive secretary concluded with a firm pledge that NCDMB will continue to champion local content, support young entrepreneurs, and work with partners to ensure that Nigeria remains competitive in the evolving global market.
His parting words to the youths therefore is to be “intentional, curious, disciplined and most importantly -be ready” He added that “opportunities will come-many are already here. But only those who prepare, who learn, who engage positively, and who position themselves strategically will take full advantage. NCDMB stands ready to support you, guide you, and empower you toward a better future”.
Presenting a key note speech entitled, “The Role of Nigerian Youths in Securing Investments and Sustaining Growth in the Oil and Gas Sector”, a retired security expert, Matthew Seiyefa, urged the youths to protect the energy investments in the region so as to enhance the developmental prospects in the region which they can then leverage to achieve their own potentials in life. He also recommended a strategic shift in thinking and orientation among the youths, urging them to embrace the new reality by seeing the oil and gas resources as enablers for overall socio-economic development of their region and make the utmost efforts to acquire the knowledge and skills which will help them optimise the opportunities enabled by oil and gas resources in the region.
Accordingly, he said while the youths relish the opportunities being provided by the regime of pipeline surveillance jobs, they should look beyond providing physical protection of the pipelines to acquiring requisite skills which will enable them play pivotal roles in the production of what flows inside the pipelines. Against this backdrop, Seiyefa urged the state and local governments in the region to enhance interest and facilitate the study of STEM- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects in the schools in the region by the students.
He contended that without such initiatives, the youths in the region will not benefit maximally from the envisaged employment opportunities inherent in the existing and expected energy investments.
