The development of local content in Nigeria continues to be a critical conversation, which is a major reason why the Nigerian Content and Development Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Dmg Events, has hosted the Practical Nigerian Content Forum for the past 12 years.  Oilserv fully participated in the 12^th PNC Forum at the NCDMB Headquarters, Yenagoa, Bayelsa, from the 4^th to the 7^th of December 2023.

We sponsored the forum in the Gold category, exhibited expertise, and made significant contributions to the panel discussions. With the theme; Deepening Nigerian Content Amidst Divestments, Domestication & Decarbonization, this year’s forum focused on delving into the regulatory frameworks, funding models, and human capacity development strategies needed to deepen Nigerian content and catalyze sustainable economic development goals.

This significant forum was well attended by industry leaders, drivers of local content development, companies, and organizations in the oil and gas space and beyond. Some of the dignitaries in attendance include Former Executive Secretary, NCDMB; Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Limited; Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC; Engr.Gbenga Komolafe, Chairman, Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG); Mr. Abdulrazaq Isa, and more than 700 registered delegates. Also, the Executive Governor H.E. Senator Douye Diri of Bayelsa State was represented by Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei, Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

Starting off the conference was the Country Director of Dmg Events, Wemimo Oyelana who gave a warm welcome address, followed by a captivating opening keynote address by the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote FNSE stated that NCDMB has completed 83% of the initiatives in the Nigerian Content 10-year roadmap formulated in 2017 to increase Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry to 70% by 2027.

He also spoke about the monumental contributions of the NCDMB to job creation, STEM education, and local content development as a whole. Engr. Wabote shared that this was his last PNC Keynote Address as the Executive Secretary of NCDMB after brilliantly holding the office for almost 8 years.

In the exhibition space, Oilserv had an outstanding brand representation with our strategic booth and Engr. Cheta Okwuosa detailing our strides and expertise during the exhibition tour done by industry dignitaries, media personnel and other interested persons.

Engr. Chuka Eze, FNATE, Managing Director of Frazimex Engineering Limited, represented Engr Dr. Emeka Okwuosa (CON), Chairman/GCEO, in a panel session on “Opportunities in Decarbonization and Domestic Gas Utilization” on December 5, 2023.

The panel session focused on local content opportunities in gas following the reduction of fuel subsidy and enablers for maximizing gas utilization, with Oilserv participating alongside industry leaders: NCDMB, NLNG, Aradel Holdings, Tetracore Energy Limited, and others

Engr. Chuka highlighted opportunities for local service providers in decarbonization, emphasizing the need for capacity enhancement, diversification, and strategic investments. He also discussed Oilserv’s innovative capacity development through the Ingenious Graduate Trainee Program and collaborations with universities in research and development.

Furthermore, he advocated for the government’s support of partnerships to facilitate the achievement of Nigeria’s Net-zero aspiration. Highlighting that Frazimex Engineering has already initiated collaborations with foreign partners, he reiterated the ongoing commitment to developing tailored solutions addressing Nigeria’s peculiar needs for a sustainable transition to local energy production and consumption.