Nigeria’s strides in developing local content in the oil and gas industry took centre stage at the opening of the 2025 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, which began on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in Windhoek, Namibia. The country’s successes were frequently referenced during discussions focused on strengthening local capacity within Namibia’s growing energy sector.
The conference, drawing participation from policymakers, international oil and gas companies, indigenous Namibian firms, and other stakeholders, aims to bolster the local content framework in Southern Africa. Representing Nigeria at the event are the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), continuing their joint efforts to promote African local content, expand opportunities, and open new markets for Nigerian oil and gas businesses.
Leading the NCDMB delegation is Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, Director of Corporate Services, standing in for Executive Secretary Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe. PETAN’s team is led by its Chairman and NCDMB Governing Council member, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya. Dr. Halilu, speaking at the conference’s Local Content Masterclass, outlined key strategies African oil-producing nations can adopt to deepen local participation in the sector.
He emphasised that local content is not merely a regulatory tool but a comprehensive value proposition involving employment, R&D, technology development, asset ownership, and GDP growth. Using Nigeria’s experience as a model, he highlighted NCDMB’s achievements—world-class fabrication yards, human capital investment, service sector expansion, financial interventions, and the development of integration capabilities for floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) facilities. He also underscored recent focus areas, including equipment assembly, SME development, enforcement of R&D policies, technology transfer, and gas-based industrialisation.
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Proposing a collaborative continental approach, Halilu urged African nations to specialise in specific areas of oil and gas manufacturing, creating a shared value chain. Drawing a parallel with the Boeing aircraft model—where various parts are manufactured globally and assembled in one location—he suggested a similar framework for Africa’s oil and gas equipment production.
He concluded with key takeaways for implementing effective local content policies: it should be business-driven, cost-effective, inclusive of local realities, and consistent over time. Regulations should apply to all industry players, not just foreign entities, and capacity building should target underserved communities. He added that without new projects, local content development could stagnate.
Halilu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to partnering with Namibia and other African countries to build an energy sector that promotes inclusive growth and shared prosperity. Also on day one, NCDMB’s General Manager of Human Capacity Development, Esueme Dan Kikile, presented further insights into Nigeria’s achievements in training and workforce development.
The conference runs through Friday, with additional sessions expected from NCDMB and PETAN representatives, including a panel appearance by PETAN Chairman Mr. Wole Ogunsanya.
