Ogbe: “Compliance with NOGICD Act 2010 is non-negotiable”
By Sandra Kenneth
ABUJA — The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has threatened to invoke regulatory sanctions against oil and gas companies failing to remit their statutory contributions to the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF). The agency warned it will no longer tolerate the withholding or delaying of payments essential to financing capacity development in the industry.
“Compliance is Non-Negotiable”
NCDMB Executive Secretary, Felix Ogbe, issued the warning during his keynote address at the 25th Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week Conference and Exhibition in Abuja on Tuesday. “As we chart the next phase of local content growth, I must also reiterate the importance of full compliance with statutory obligations under the NOGICD Act 2010,” Ogbe said.
“The Nigerian Content Intervention Fund remains a critical vehicle for financing capacity development and other strategic interventions that sustain the growth of our industry.”
He added that withholding contributions is unacceptable, and the Board will tighten enforcement mechanisms and deploy all available regulatory measures to ensure total compliance.
NCDF Certificate Now a Business Requirement
Ogbe cautioned operators, contractors, and service providers that meeting financial obligations will increasingly determine access to industry opportunities. “I wish to remind all operators, contractors, and service providers that possession of a valid NCDF Compliance Certificate is increasingly becoming an important requirement for participation in industry opportunities and regulatory engagements,” he stated.
According to him, companies benefiting from the local content framework must support its ecosystem, as compliance directly impacts the resilience and growth of the broader Nigerian economy.
New Initiatives to Deepen Local Participation
Alongside the enforcement warning, Ogbe unveiled new initiatives including: Nationwide capacity audit Vendor development programme Technical skills training Renewed calls for accelerated project approvals 15 Years of Local Content GrowthReviewing the industry’s progress, Ogbe highlighted that domestic participation in the oil and gas sector has surged from less than 5% before the NOGICD Act in 2010 to 61% today. “Over the last 15 years, Nigeria’s local content journey has become a remarkable success story,” Ogbe said.
“Nigerian firms now own significant assets, execute complex projects, and provide vital services across the value chain.” Looking ahead, he said the next phase must move beyond compliance to building globally competitive Nigerian enterprises through industrialization, manufacturing, and capacity expansion.
