In May 2025, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Sweetcrude Limited, hosted the inaugural Champions of Nigerian Content Awards. The landmark event took place at the NCDMB Conference Hall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on the side-lines of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) 2025. It marked a significant milestone in recognizing and rewarding individuals and organizations that have driven local content development in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
This article looks at the gains, impact, and future implications of this prestigious awards ceremony, which not only celebrated exemplary contributions but also highlighted the transformative gains and broader economic impact of the NCDMB’s efforts to deepen indigenous participation under the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010.
NCDMB Sets a New Standard for Excellence
The Champions of Nigerian Content Awards were conceived as an event aimed at setting a new benchmark for excellence in Nigeria’s energy sector, emphasizing credibility, compliance, and measurable impact. Right from the outset, the NCDMB set out to do something differently. Unlike other industry awards, the selection process was rigorous, driven by verifiable accomplishments and defined metrics established by the NCDMB’s Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate.
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There was an advisory committee made up of industry titans was set up for the awards. Notable people like Dr. Ernest Nwapa (pioneer Executive Secretary of NCDMB), Dr. Omar Farouk (Secretary General, African Petroleum Producers Organization), and Mr. Wole Akinyosoye (former Zonal Operations Controller, Department of Petroleum Resources) were part of the advisory committee. Their presence ensured the integrity and prestige of the awards.
The ceremony recognized outstanding contributions across various categories, including the Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award, Nigerian Content Icon of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Women in Leadership Award, and corporate accolades such as the Nigerian Content Indigenous Service Company of the Year. Notable recipients included former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for signing the NOGICD Act into law, and Dorman Long Engineering Limited, honoured as the Indigenous Service Company of the Year for its leadership in capacity building and engineering excellence. Other awardees, such as Engr. Tony Attah and Professor Emenike Chinedozi Ejiogu, were celebrated for their visionary leadership and groundbreaking innovations, respectively
The event aligns with the 15th anniversary of the NOGICD Act and amplified its significance, providing a platform to reflect on the progress made in local content development while honouring those who have translated policy into tangible economic gains. As Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, stated, the awards aim to “identify and celebrate pillars of Nigerian Content who shall serve as a shining example of what is expected of others in the industry,” positioning the ceremony as the oil and gas sector’s equivalent of the Oscars”.
Gains of the Champions of Nigerian Content Awards for Nigeria’s Economy
It was evident that the NCDMB’s efforts, spotlighted through the awards, have yielded substantial economic benefits, transforming Nigeria’s oil and gas industry since the enactment of the NOGICD Act in 2010. One of the most significant gains is the increase in local expenditure, which rose from less than 5% in 2010 to 26% by 2017, with a target of 70% by 2027. This growth reflects enhanced indigenous participation across the oil and gas value chain, from exploration to downstream activities. The awards ceremony underscored the contributions of companies like Dorman Long Engineering, which have prioritized local sourcing and capacity building, thereby retaining economic value within Nigeria.
There was also major gain in the area of job creation. The NCDMB has over the years facilitated over 50,000 jobs through on-the-job training and project attachments. Initiatives such as the training of 500 youths in Oyo State on solar power installation and maintenance, commended by Senator Teslim Folarin, demonstrate the Board’s commitment to human capital development beyond traditional oil and gas roles. These efforts align with the NCDMB’s mandate to link the oil and gas sector to other industries, fostering economic diversification and sustainable growth.
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Infrastructure development has also been a cornerstone of the NCDMB’s impact. The Board’s support has led to the establishment of world-class facilities, including two pipe mills with a combined capacity of 670,000 tons per year and five pipe coating yards. Additionally, vessel ownership by Nigerians has risen to nearly 40% as of 2020, enhancing local control over marine operations. These achievements, celebrated at the awards, highlight the NCDMB’s role in building in-country capacities that position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global energy market.
The NCDMB’s Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF), funded by a 1% deduction from upstream contracts, has been instrumental in these gains. The fund has supported local firms’ growth, research and development, and technology incubation, with over $330 million loaned to 70 oil and gas companies through the Bank of Industry. The awards ceremony served as a platform to recognize companies that have leveraged such financial support to drive innovation and compliance, further amplifying the fund’s impact.
Broader Impact of Champions of Nigerian Content Awards on Industry and Society
The Champions of Nigerian Content Awards do more than just recognize achievements – they help drive positive change in the industry and society. By rewarding compliance and excellence, the NCDMB encourages businesses to follow local content rules, creating a culture of responsibility. The fair and open selection process, led by a respected advisory board, has strengthened the NCDMB’s reputation for good governance. This is reflected in its top ranking in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Compliance Report for three years in a row.
The event also reinforced the NCDMB’s commitment to community engagement, a key pillar of its mandate. Initiatives like the Back-to-the-Creeks Initiative and the Revised Nigerian Content Community Contractors Financing Scheme, highlighted during the Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum 2024, aim to integrate oil-producing communities into the industry value chain. The awards ceremony, by honouring contributions to community development, signalled the importance of inclusive growth, ensuring that host communities benefit from oil and gas activities.
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Moreover, the awards have elevated Nigeria’s global standing in the energy sector. By highlighting success stories, such as Professor Ejiogu’s international patents and Dorman Long’s engineering feats, the ceremony demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity to meet global standards. This aligns with the NCDMB’s vision to promote Nigerian content beyond borders, as discussed at the PNC Forum 2024, where panellists explored strategies to overcome barriers to cross-border value chains. The international recognition of these achievements, coupled with the NCDMB’s partnerships with organizations like the African Petroleum Producers Organization, positions Nigeria as a model for local content development in Africa.
The societal impact extends to inspiring future generations. The NCDMB’s initiatives, such as the Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition and the Science Quiz Competition for secondary schools in Bayelsa, complement the awards by nurturing young talent. By honouring innovators and industry leaders, the ceremony sets role models for aspiring professionals, encouraging them to contribute to Nigeria’s industrialization.
Looking Ahead: Keeping Momentum Going
The inaugural Champions of Nigerian Content Awards have set a high standard, but their true impact lies in sustaining the momentum they have generated. The NCDMB’s plans to enhance the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund, as announced by Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, signal a commitment to increasing financial support for local firms. Additionally, the establishment of the Nigerian Content Academy and improved zonal offices will further strengthen capacity building and service delivery.
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The awards support the Nigeria First policy, launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May 2025, which expands local content rules to more industries. The NCDMB’s successful strategies – like its monitoring systems and standard templates – provide a guide for the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to apply this policy, making sure government purchases favor Nigerian goods and services. Working together, the NCDMB and BPP could boost the benefits of local content across the country.
Conclusion
The 2025 Champions of Nigerian Content Awards have not only honored past achievements but also set the stage for future growth. By celebrating individuals and organizations that uphold the NOGICD Act, the NCDMB continues to drive industrial and economic progress. The awards highlight positive changes in local spending, job creation, and infrastructure, as well as increased industry accountability and community involvement. As Nigeria aims to reach 70% local content retention by 2027, these awards will keep encouraging excellence, ensuring the oil and gas sector remains a key part of national development.
NCDMB Corporate Communications
June 13, 2025
