The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has initiated a strategic overhaul of the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum (NCCF), signaling a renewed push to drive high-impact outcomes in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The move was unveiled during a two-day retreat and the first half of the 2026 NCCF Steering Committee Meeting, where stakeholders emphasized the need for a clear and actionable roadmap to reposition the forum as a more effective platform for in-country capacity development.
Declaring the retreat open, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the gathering as a defining moment in the evolution of the NCCF. He noted that while the forum had recorded steady growth since its inception, there was now an urgent need for a more deliberate and strategic direction.
“The NCCF began as a vision, modest in structure but bold in intent. Today, we can confidently say that this baby has grown, nurtured by your dedication and strengthened by collaboration,” he said.
Represented by the Acting Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Ogbe stressed the importance of aligning progress with intentional planning, urging stakeholders to focus on long-term, measurable impact.
“This retreat is not just another meeting. It is an opportunity to reflect, interrogate our current realities, and chart a clearer path forward,” he added.
A key highlight of the session was the presentation of a baseline study conducted by Ernst & Young, which provided benchmarking against global best practices and identified critical gaps in the forum’s structure and operations.
Providing further insight, Partner at EY and session facilitator, Mr. Damilola Aloba, outlined the core objectives of the engagement, including strengthening leadership alignment, improving coordination between NCCF, its Sectoral Working Groups (SWGs), and NCDMB, as well as fostering shared ownership of the forum’s mandate.
Findings from stakeholder consultations revealed several structural and operational challenges, including unclear strategic direction, delays in project approvals, and limited clarity around decision-making processes. Other issues identified include funding constraints, weak project evaluation mechanisms, and the absence of clearly defined criteria for assessing project impact.
Despite these challenges, Aloba acknowledged the strong commitment demonstrated by SWG members, particularly in advancing capacity development initiatives across the oil and gas value chain.
Earlier, the Acting Deputy Manager of NCCF, Engr. Bright Amatoru, provided an overview of the forum’s mandate, noting that it was established under Sections 57 and 58 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act to serve as a collaborative platform for stakeholders.
Since its establishment in 2014, the NCCF has engaged stakeholders across 12 Sectoral Working Groups to identify industry gaps, develop solutions, and implement targeted interventions.
Highlighting achievements, Amatoru pointed to the development of National Operational Standards, the Marine Assets Listing System, and various capacity-building initiatives, including the Women in Oil and Gas Conference and mentorship programmes.
However, he acknowledged that the absence of a clearly defined strategic framework had limited the forum’s ability to effectively prioritize interventions.
“As of today, we have not had a very clear direction on how to select interventions. That clarity is critical as we align industry expectations with global best practices,” he said.
The ongoing reform is part of NCDMB’s broader effort to develop a comprehensive strategic roadmap for the NCCF, aligned with its 10-year strategic plan and evolving industry expectations.
Stakeholders at the retreat are expected to generate actionable ideas, refine governance structures, and establish a clear execution pathway that will enhance the NCCF’s effectiveness in delivering on its mandate within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
