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NOGICD Act enforcement: NCDMB teams up with security agencies
Precious ADELOLA
IN a bid to drive compliance and enforcement of the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has held a workshop for law enforcement agencies, with the theme “understanding the objectives and philosophy of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act.
The two-day workshop was held this week in Abuja, and it was attended by personnel from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Nigeria Police, Nigerian Customs Service and other relevant agencies.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote explained that the Board organised the workshop to create synergy and collaboration with regulatory and enforcement agencies in the discharge of its mandate.
He indicated that the Board held these types of workshops regularly with a view to strengthen collaboration with key stakeholders, particularly those that are not familiar with the Board’s roles in the oil and gas industry.
The former Inspector General of Police, Dr Solomon Arase made a presentation at the workshop and identified gaps in the provisions of the NOGICD Act that would hamper the successful prosecution and conviction of companies deemed to have breached the provisions of the Act.
He proposed some amendment to the Act, notably, explicit definition of offences, expansion of the parties to offences and stiffer punishments for noncompliance.
The former IGP also advised the Board to build a small team of experts, with competences in investigation and identification of ingredients critical for proving cases of noncompliance. He suggested that the team should include officers of the Nigeria Police, ICPC, EFCC and other relevant agencies, who would be trained on Nigerian Content.
The Director, Legal Services, Barrister Umar Mohammed Babangida presented the draft Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Compliance and Enforcement Regulation 2020 and added that the document was designed to plug some of the gaps that were identified in the NOGICD Act.
He also explained that non-compliance and breach of Nigerian Content guidelines have been categorized into Minor Infraction and Serious Infractions.
Minor offences refer to first time defaults, deficits in meeting deadlines for periodic reports and similar defaults and applicable sanctions would include Letter of Warning, Invitation of Management Team of the Operator/ stakeholder for corrective dialogue with the Board.
On the other hand, serious infraction includes repeated or persistent defaults; and/or deliberate refusal to comply with directives issued by the Board.
Punishment for such offences will include “Name and shame of defaulting Operator/stakeholder with publicity within national and international Oil and Gas communities; Notification to other MDAs about the non-compliance of the Operator/stakeholder, including request for the withdrawal of tax privileges, and/or preventing the Operator/stakeholder from getting “cost recovery”, where applicable; Withdrawal of Certificate of Authorization issued for the project under Section 8 of the Act; Withdrawal of any approval given by the Board as required under the provisions of Sections 17, 19 and 20 of the Act on Nigerian Content Compliance Certificate and Prosecution of the offenders in accordance with the provisions of part I of the draft regulation ( as a last resort.”
Explaining further, the Director said the Board shall first give notice in writing to any operator or other stakeholder, specifying the identified default(s) and corrective step, action and/or remediation required to address an identified non-compliance.
He added that failure to comply shall attract the imposition of appropriate sanctions and/or penalties as may be deemed applicable in the circumstances.
Also speaking, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, NCDMB, Mr. Akintunde Adelana explained that the pioneer promoters of the NOGICD Act focused on building consensus and collaboration with stakeholders, especially the international oil companies who were the drivers of the business. “We needed to focus on value addition and domiciliation. The issue of securing conviction against noncompliance was not the priority at that time.”
He listed some challenges faced by the Board in implementing enforcing the NOGICD Act to include inadequate strategic collaboration among stakeholders in the industry; overlapping of tasks by various government agencies, non-submission/late submission of statutory reports and inadequate coverage of the projects and activities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry as a result of manpower shortage.
Other challenges include execution of projects, contracts/services without approval from the Board and non-execution of NCDMB HCDI Training on the back of projects; non-deduction and remittance of NCDF one percent; utilization of non-registered vendors in the NOGICJQ, deployment of expatriates without approval from NCDMB; use of Manpower License designated for Nigerian personnel only to deploy Expatriates; refusal to Nigerianise expatriate positions after statutory four years as captured in the Act and non-submission of Research and Development Plan by Service Companies.
In his presentation, the Director, Planning Research & Statistics, Mr. Daziba Patrick Obah proposed that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) should enforce the guidelines of NCDMB on expatriate utilization by oil & gas companies on land and offshore locations. “Enforcement and checks can be conducted at various entry points and access points to offshore locations by demanding for biometrics identity card before approving flight request by expatriates to offshore oil and gas operations,” he said.
He also suggested that the Military should collaborate with the Board in deepening R&D and domesticate hardware and software technology, maintenance techniques for military equipment. Enforcement agencies should also join the essential services sectoral working group and shipping and logistics sectorial working group to share insights and open channels of communication, he added.
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Obi Calls for Tinubu’s Resignation Over ‘Failure in Governance’ After UK PM Exit
Former presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign over what he described as “failure in governance,” drawing comparisons with political accountability in other democracies following the resignation announcement of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Monday, Obi said he had followed Starmer’s resignation speech and reflected on what he described as the importance of leadership responsibility in democratic governance.
ALSO READ: UK PM Keir Starmer Resigns
“As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development,” Obi said.
He noted that Starmer’s decision followed growing public dissatisfaction over economic challenges, rising cost of living, and unmet campaign promises in the United Kingdom.
Obi then drew parallels with Nigeria, recalling that before the 2015 general elections, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had repeatedly called on then-President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over insecurity.
“During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives,” Obi stated.
He also referenced campaign promises made by Tinubu during the 2023 elections, including commitments to improve electricity supply, tackle corruption, and enhance the welfare of Nigerians.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments,” Obi said.
According to him, conditions in the country have since deteriorated, with persistent power shortages, worsening insecurity, and deepening economic hardship.
“At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased,” he added.
Obi further argued that other sectors, including infrastructure, transportation, and anti-corruption efforts, had also suffered setbacks, insisting that Nigeria is currently in “the worst possible condition.”
The opposition figure therefore called on President Tinubu to step down, saying such a move would promote accountability in public office.
“I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance,” Obi said.
He added that resignation would help foster “a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility” and reinforce the idea that “public office is a sacred trust, not an entitlement,” stressing the need for what he called “a New Nigeria that is possible.”
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Ex-IGP Usman Alkali Baba Joins Yobe Governorship Race, Vows to End Insurgency
Former Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Yobe State, promising to tackle insecurity and rebuild the state’s economy.
In a statement released Tuesday following a consultation meeting in the state, the retired police chief said his ambition is driven by a desire to restore peace, strengthen institutions, and accelerate development across all sectors.
Alkali pledged to “wipe out insurgency” and revive economic activities disrupted by years of insecurity, noting that his administration would prioritise intelligence-driven security and community partnerships.
“My vision for Yobe State is clear. I want a state where security is strengthened through intelligence and community partnership. I want a state where farmers can return to their farms with confidence, traders can move freely, and children can go to school without fear,” he said.
The former police boss emphasised his experience in national security management, stating that his years in public service have equipped him with the discipline and strategic thinking needed to govern effectively.
According to him, Yobe State requires leadership that understands security, institutional coordination, and human development, adding that insecurity has significantly hindered growth and deepened poverty in the region.
He also outlined plans to boost agriculture, expand infrastructure, and invest in education and youth empowerment. Alkali promised to provide microcredit support for women and equip young people with technical skills and startup kits to drive commerce and industry.
On healthcare, he pledged to combat child-killer diseases, including polio, and introduce free maternal healthcare services, as well as free medical care for children aged zero to five.
“Mothers will not die during childbirth, and children will live and thrive. They will go to school and graduate in a safe and secure environment,” he assured.
Alkali further stated that his administration would focus on inclusive governance, ensuring development reaches all local government areas without discrimination.
While expressing readiness to build on the achievements of the current administration, he maintained that governance must go beyond rhetoric and propaganda, stressing that it requires “vision, action, and the courage to make tough decisions.”
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Bayern Won’t Sell Olise Even for €200m — Rummenigge Drops Bombshell
Bayern Munich have made a strong statement over the future of winger Michael Olise, with Vice-President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisting the club would reject even a €200 million offer for the player.
The comments, reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Monday, highlight Bayern’s long-standing policy of prioritising sporting stability over financial gain.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING: Chelsea Hit With £10.75m Fine, Transfer Ban
Rummenigge explained that the club’s position is rooted in a historic decision made in 2009, when Bayern received a massive bid from Chelsea for Franck Ribéry.
After internal discussions involving then CFO Karl Hopfner and former president Uli Hoeneß, the club chose to reject the offer — a decision that shaped its modern transfer philosophy.
According to him, that principle remains unchanged today.
He stressed that Bayern do not consider selling players who are essential to the team, adding that even a record-breaking €200 million bid would not change their stance on Olise.
The statement is expected to fuel further transfer speculation across Europe, but Bayern officials maintain that Olise is a key part of their long-term sporting project and not for sale.
Bayern Munich continue to uphold their “untouchable players” policy, while Michael Olise remains central to their squad plans.





