Gov. Oborevwori Reaffirms Commitment to Indigenous Participation in Oil & Gas Sector
By Wilson Macaulay
The oil and gas industry remains a key driver of Nigeria’s industrialization and economic self-sufficiency, and local content development is at the heart of its sustainability. This was the central message delivered at the two-day conference and exhibition organized by Vanguard Media Limited in collaboration with the Delta State Government and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), themed “Local Content, Global Impact: Energizing Nigerian Expertise in the Oil and Gas Industry for National Growth.”
Speaking at the event, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, emphasized the need for Nigeria to fully harness its local expertise in the oil and gas sector to drive sustainable growth, foster national pride, and enhance community relations.
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Represented by the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Hon. Peter Okagbare Uviejitobor, Governor Oborevwori noted that Delta State has taken deliberate steps to support local businesses and professionals in the sector. This commitment he said led to the creation of the Department of Local Content and the Delta State Local Content Agency within the Ministry of Oil and Gas to promote indigenous participation.
“We recognize the importance of local content, which is why Delta State has established structures to empower local industries, businesses, and the workforce within the oil and gas sector,” the governor stated.
He further stressed the need for Nigeria to embrace innovation and new technologies, ensuring that local players remain competitive in the evolving global energy landscape.
In his remarks, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), underscored the role of local content in fostering economic growth, technology transfer, and job creation.
Represented by Barr. Olugbenga Shebo, GM, Infrastructure and Capacity Building, Ogbe clarified that local content is not a form of trade restriction but a strategic approach to building indigenous capacity while maintaining global best practices.
“Local content is about value addition, capacity building, and ensuring that Nigeria’s wealth benefits Nigerians through skill development and employment opportunities,” he explained.
He emphasized that successful local content implementation requires partnerships between indigenous companies and international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), creating a dynamic ecosystem where knowledge and expertise are shared.
Also speaking, Prince Anthony Okoh, President of DACCIMA (Delta Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture), highlighted the need for Nigeria to maximize its oil and gas resources to achieve global relevance.
“While we have made remarkable progress, there is still room for growth. The future of local content must focus on excellence, innovation, and sustainability,” he said.
He identified key areas for improvement, including bridging the skills gap, fostering homegrown innovation, strengthening host community engagement, and improving financial access for local companies.
Okoh, represented by Engr. Anthony Okoh of the Warri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (WACCIMA), reaffirmed the commitment of the Delta business community to advocating policies that will position local businesses for both national and international success.
PANDEF Demands Full Implementation of Local Content Act
Prince Maikpobi Okareme, Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), called for the full implementation of the Local Content Act to benefit communities in oil-producing states.
He urged the NCDMB to establish regional offices in Delta, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom, ensuring that all oil-producing states have equal access to opportunities within the sector.
“The headquarters in Yenagoa is the tallest building in the Niger Delta, but Delta State must also have a befitting office to ensure proper implementation of the Local Content Act,” he said.
Okareme emphasized that PANDEF would continue to engage stakeholders, including the National Assembly, to ensure that the original objectives of the Local Content Act are realized.
A Call for Collaboration
The conference also featured insights from Vanguard Media Group Founder/Publisher, Uncle Sam Amuka, represented by Deputy Editor, Adekunle Adekoya, who highlighted the need for Nigeria to stop relying on foreign firms for oil and gas projects.
“Nigeria must build its own capacity rather than allowing foreign companies to execute projects and take all the benefits away,” he said.
In his keynote address, Prof. Jasper Ikpesu, Assistant Director and Head of HSE and General Services at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Who featured as the guest speaker discussed strategies for strengthening local participation in the oil and gas sector.
The event concluded with an interactive session where industry stakeholders deliberated on policies and strategies to enhance Nigeria’s local content framework for sustainable economic growth.
Conclusion
The conference reinforced the critical role of local content in Nigeria’s quest for industrialization and economic self-sufficiency. With the combined efforts of government agencies, business leaders, and industry stakeholders, Nigeria is poised to achieve a globally competitive oil and gas sector that benefits its people and secures its economic future.
