NEWS
NCDMB Completes 83% Of Nigeria’s Content Roadmap
. . . Wabote Cautions Against Relapse In Local Content Drive
The 12th Practical Nigerian Content Forum 2023 got underway on Tuesday at the Nigerian Content Towers, Yenagoa, with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote announcing that the agency has completed 83 percent of the 96 initiatives it started under the Nigerian Content 10-year Strategic Roadmap.
The strategic roadmap was launched at the end of the year 2017, with the goal of increasing Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry to 70 percent by the year 2027. The roadmap is undergirded by five pillars and four enablers to drive the focus areas and are supported with short, medium, and long-term initiatives.
Presenting the scorecard of the NCDMB at the PNC which is attended by over 700 oil and gas stakeholders, the Executive Secretary indicated that the Board’s focus would shift to the remaining initiatives, which according to him required some heavy lifting to bring them to fruition.
He reported that Nigerian Content level in 2023 stood at 54 per cent, just like in 2022. The calculation is based on the Board’s monitoring and evaluation of industry activities.
According to him, “this performance is well above the minimum target of 47 percent Nigerian Content set for 2023 by the Board’s Project Management Office (PMO) just like we outperformed the 42 percent Nigerian Content target set for 2022 by achieving 54 percent Nigerian Content.”
He indicated that the top three performers of in-country spend are Shipping, Surveying/ Positioning services, and Inspection/ Testing and Certification with each at 100 percent NC level, while the bottom three performers are Modification and Maintenance at 26 percent NC level; Health, Safety and Environment at 31 percent NC level; and Materials and Procurement at 32 percent NC level.
He expressed concern that the stagnation of the Nigerian Content achievement at 54 percent raised questions on whether we had reached a point of stagnation or an inflection, leading to the decline in Nigerian Content level in the oil and gas industry.
The NCDMB boss, who was making his last PNC Keynote Address as the Executive Secretary of NCDMB reminded the top government functionaries and industry stakeholders that “getting the industry to this level of Nigerian Content is not a walk in the park,” and called on all stakeholders to “play their part to prevent the industry from rolling back to the dark days of implementing Nigerian Content as a token of consolation.
He cautioned that “The nexus between high Nigerian Content levels and the relative peace in the industry must not be lost on us,” noting that a “a lack of leadership backing at all levels opens the door for the practice to take the back seat.”
The Executive Secretary took the occasion to present what he termed “a reflection on the journey in the last seven and a half years of being in the saddle as the Executive Secretary.”
Citing data from the Board’s Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System (NOGIC-JQS), he said registered indigenous industry operators have increased from 53 in 2018 to 114 in 2023, while indigenous service companies increased from 8,000 to 11,000 within the same period. Also, individual registrations surged from 140,000 to almost 400,000.
Under one of five pillars of the Roadmap, namely, Technical Capability Development, are other major accomplishments, one of which is the increase in in-country fabrication capacity from 60,000 tons per year to 250,000 tons within the aforesaid period.
Engr. Wabote disclosed that eight industrial parks being developed by the Board to support manufacturing and assembly of equipment and input materials required in the industry are at various stages of execution. He reported that the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS) at Emeyal-1, in Bayelsa State, and a similar Park at Odukpani in Cross River State are due for commissioning in the first half of 2024.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, commended the NCDMB for its outstanding performance in local content implementation, and for the ongoing PNC Forum.
He assured the industry stakeholders that the Federal Government is committed to promoting cleaner, more sustainable practices within the energy sector, even as the country continues with hydrocarbon extraction.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Lokpobiri was represented at the PNC by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda. He said Nigeria aligns with the global push for environmental stewardship and would explore all means of making production processes conform to cleaner technologies.
While drawing attention to the theme of the Forum, “Deepening Nigerian Content Amidst Divestments, Domestication and Decarbonisation,” the Minister called on stakeholders to “embrace the challenges that have been posed by divestment to actively promote domestication and steadfastly pursue the path of Decarbonization.”
The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei, lauded the NCDMB and its Management for extraordinary successes and charged participants to explore avenues for collaboration, joint ventures, and partnerships that will help Nigeria to fully harness Nigerian Content potentialities.
NEWS
Dangote Preaches Ambition, Africa First to Nigerian Creatives
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has challenged Nigerian entrepreneurs and creative industry practitioners to think beyond conventional limits, build globally competitive enterprises and create enduring legacies, declaring that Africa must take responsibility for its own economic transformation rather than depend on foreign investors for prosperity.
Dangote gave the charge while hosting leading figures from Nigeria’s creative industry at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex in Lekki, Lagos, where he also disclosed that the Group was considering raising its US$100 billion Vision 2030 target in response to its expanding industrial investments and growth ambitions. The delegation, comprising Nollywood stars, content creators, comedians and other entertainment and lifestyle personalities, toured the industrial complex before engaging Dangote in a conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, ambition, and legacy.
Addressing the creatives, Dangote urged Nigerians to match their creativity and entrepreneurial drive with discipline, perseverance and the courage to pursue ambitious projects, stressing that lasting success should be measured not merely by personal wealth but by the businesses built, opportunities created and contributions made to society.
“It is not just about money; it is about legacy. We have often been taken for granted, and in many ways, we have contributed to that by waiting for foreigners to come and make our continent prosperous. That will never happen. We must take responsibility for building Africa’s prosperity ourselves,” he declared.
READ ALSO: Renaissance, Sterling Bank Back Indigenous Oil and Gas Contractors Financially
Speaking on the Group’s long-term ambitions, Dangote revealed that its US$100 billion Vision 2030 target was being reconsidered, with a more ambitious target expected to be unveiled in January.
“We realised that our Vision 2030 target was too modest. We are working towards unveiling a new vision in January, with a revised target that reflects our ambition to achieve far more than US$100 billion,” he said.
He explained that the Group’s continued industrial expansion was driven by a determination to build enduring institutions, strengthen Africa’s productive capacity and demonstrate that the continent could develop enterprises capable of competing globally. Drawing lessons from Singapore’s economic transformation, Dangote said nations could overcome difficult beginnings through deliberate investment, enterprise and a commitment to developing their own capabilities. He challenged Nigerian entrepreneurs to reject limiting assumptions about what could be achieved, noting that transformative accomplishments often required the courage to pursue ideas others considered impossible.
Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey and the development of the refinery, Dangote identified perseverance, disciplined execution and sound judgement as essential ingredients of business success. He cautioned, however, that ambition must be tempered by the ability to recognise when an investment was no longer commercially viable.
“Before embarking on any venture, you must carefully consider all the issues involved. We have made mistakes too, and I share these experiences so others can learn from them,” he said. “One important lesson is never to keep putting good money into a bad investment. Some situations are simply too difficult to turn around, no matter how much you invest.”
Turning to the creative industry, Dangote commended Nigerian entertainers for building a formidable international presence despite operating in a challenging business environment and receiving limited government support. He described Nollywood’s growing global influence as evidence of Nigeria’s creative potential, urging practitioners to build on their achievements through stronger business structures, innovation and collaboration. According to him, the industry’s next phase of growth should go beyond international recognition to building sustainable enterprises, creating employment and strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global creative economy.
Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), who moderated the interactive session, praised Dangote’s accomplishments, describing his industrial investments as an enduring contribution to Nigeria’s development.
“Your legacy has already been built, and its continuation is assured. You deserve all the praise and recognition you have received for what you have accomplished,” RMD said.
Nollywood actor Abdullateef Adedimeji described the visit as an inspiration, saying the scale of the refinery had challenged him to raise his ambitions and pursue greater accomplishments in the creative industry.
“Coming here today is a source of motivation for us. As someone in the film industry, this experience inspires me to push beyond my limits, broaden my imagination and strive for greater achievements, including making a more meaningful impact in my community,” he said.
Adedimeji also called for greater collaboration among Nollywood practitioners, drawing lessons from the coordination and partnerships underpinning Dangote’s industrial operations.
“That is what we need in Nollywood. The more we collaborate, the stronger and more successful we become,” he said.
NEWS
Protest Against Oil Company’s Vessel in Rivers Takes 10 Lives
No fewer than 10 people are feared dead after a protest against a vessel belonging to an indigenous oil company turned tragic at Kula community in Rivers State, following an alleged collision involving a community boat and a Nigerian Army gunboat.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday morning when members of the community took to the water in a boat to protest against the oil company’s vessel.
A community leader, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, disclosed this in a telephone interview with journalists in Port Harcourt.
Sara-Igbe, a former spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), alleged that a gunboat belonging to the Nigerian Army hit the protesters’ boat, causing some of its occupants to drown.
READ ALSO: Renaissance, Sterling Bank Back Indigenous Oil and Gas Contractors Financially
He said efforts were ongoing to recover the remains of those who drowned during the incident.
The circumstances that led to the protest, the identities of the victims and the precise sequence of events surrounding the alleged collision were not immediately clear.
The Nigerian Army’s response to the allegation was also not immediately available as of the time of filing this report.
NEWS
FRSC Warns Drivers After Brake Failure Kills Two in Kano Crash
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, has confirmed the death of two persons in a road crash involving a fully loaded tipper truck and a Mercedes-Benz car along the Kano-Zaria Road at Dangi Underpass.
The fatal crash occurred on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and involved a Howo tipper truck with registration number RMG 332 XA, loaded with bitumen, and a Mercedes-Benz C180 with registration number ABJ 783 GB.
According to a statement signed by the FRSC Kano Sector Public Education Officer, Abdullahi Labaran, four male adults were involved in the crash, with two confirmed dead.
SEE ALSO: DPRP’s Free Fuel Delivery Expands to Kano, Imo, Nearly 10 More States
Preliminary reports indicated that the crash was caused by brake failure in the loaded tipper truck, resulting in the driver losing control of the vehicle.
The truck reportedly slid backwards and collided with the Mercedes-Benz behind it, leading to the fatal incident.
FRSC rescue personnel and other emergency responders evacuated the victims to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for medical attention.
Reacting to the incident, the Kano Sector Commander, Corps Commander Idris Mohammed Lawal, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of their souls.
Lawal also urged the affected families to find the strength to bear the loss.
The Sector Commander warned motorists, transport unions, construction companies and fleet operators against neglecting regular vehicle maintenance, particularly the inspection and servicing of critical components such as braking systems and tyres.
He emphasised the importance of defensive driving, urging motorists to maintain safe following distances, remain alert to changing road conditions and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on journeys.
Lawal stressed that regular vehicle maintenance, responsible driving and strict compliance with road safety regulations remain essential to preventing avoidable road crashes and saving lives.





