The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Felix Ogbe, on Tuesday announced that the Board has strengthened its certification process to prevent middlemen and unscrupulous operators from obtaining Nigerian Content compliance documents.
Addressing the Practical Nigerian Content Forum in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Ogbe said the measure is in line with the Presidential Directive on Local Content Requirements and has significantly reduced the surge of duplicate and fraudulent applications for the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate and other approvals.
NCEC issued by the NCDMB, verifies that companies’ equipment in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector complies with local content requirements. It forms part of efforts to strengthen indigenous capacity and is mandatory for participation in certain tenders and bids. The certification is granted to companies involved in assembling, manufacturing, calibrating, or supplying equipment for the local oil and gas industry.
Ogbe stated that, effective 1 January 2026, all NCECs and similar certifications will no longer be transferable.
Ogbe said, “In line with the Presidential Directive on Local Content Requirements, the board has adopted measures to prevent middlemen from obtaining NCECs and other certifications. This has led to a reduction in multiple applications from dubious service companies. Effective 1st January 2026, our NCECs and other certificates are no longer transferable. This ensures that entities without NCECs are not admitted into the tendering process.”
The Executive Secretary also highlighted key initiatives the Board plans to launch in 2026, including the NCDMB Technology Challenge in the first quarter and the Research and Development Fair set for the second quarter.
On human capacity development, Ogbe noted that the Board recently launched the Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Programme, targeting the top 10 in-demand skills to enhance participants’ job placement prospects.
“So far, we have received over 11,000 applications for the Field Readiness programme,” he said.
He identified key industry projects under the Board’s oversight, including SNEPCo’s Bonga North Tranche 1, Renaissance EPU Phase 3 Development, TotalEnergies’ Ubeta Gas Development, the NNPC AKK Pipeline, the OB3 Gas Pipeline, ELPS Phase 3, the Odidi–Warri Expansion, and NLNG Train 7.
Ogbe further highlighted the Board’s ongoing Back-to-Creek initiative, aimed at enhancing STEM education in rural Niger Delta communities.
