NCDMB Unveils ‘Nigeria First’ Procurement Plan To Boost Local Content.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched its ‘Nigeria First’ Procurement Policy, a transformative framework aimed at prioritising local content in the oil and gas sector. Announced by Executive Secretary Felix Omatsola Ogbe during the 24th Nigerian Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week in Abuja on Monday, 30 June 2025, the policy seeks to enhance energy sufficiency and economic independence by mandating the use of Nigerian-made goods and services.
The policy, aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Nigeria First’ directive, stipulates that all goods and services available locally must be procured domestically unless there is clear evidence of insufficient capacity. Ogbe emphasised that this principle, rooted in Section 3(1) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICD) 2010, ensures Nigerian companies take precedence in the industry’s value chain, provided they meet required standards. To enforce this, the NCDMB is developing a dedicated procurement policy and integrating it into internal processes, including reviews of Nigerian Content Plans and Compliance Certifications.
To support the policy’s implementation, the NCDMB will commission two baseline studies to assess the capacity of Nigerian service providers and identify locally manufactured consumables used in the sector. “These studies will verify the capabilities of our indigenous companies, ensuring we maximise local participation,” Ogbe stated. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to achieve 70% local content by 2027, building on the current 56% recorded in 2024.
The policy also complements the revamped N50 billion Community Contractors Financing Scheme, aimed at empowering oil-producing communities. The scheme, now offering up to N100 million in loans at single-digit interest rates, targets verified community contractors with valid projects. Enhanced collaboration with the Bank of Industry and FCMB ensures better access to funds, with simplified collateral terms and planned sensitisation programmes.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, with Bukola Adubi, CEO of MiCCom Cables and Wires, praising the NOGICD Act for enabling local firms to thrive. However, she raised concerns about recent policy interpretations causing investor uncertainty, urging clarity to sustain progress. The NCDMB’s Back-To-The-Creek Programme, supporting vocational training and educational upgrades in oil-producing regions, further aligns with the policy’s goals, fostering human capital development.
Ogbe described the policy as a “bold commitment to national pride, industrial competence, and sustainable economic growth.” As Nigeria strives for energy sufficiency, the NCDMB’s efforts signal a robust push to reduce reliance on foreign imports, strengthen local industries, and create opportunities for Nigerians in the oil and gas sector.
