- Chronicles Nigeria’s Local Content Success Story as NOGICD Act Clocks 15
- Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Recognized as Drivers of Economic Transformation in Oil and Gas Sector
As stakeholders prepare to celebrate 15 years of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, a new publication has been released spotlighting the communication strategies and stakeholder engagements that helped position local content as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy policy.
The book, titled “Nigeria’s Local Content: A Journey of Strategic Communication and Economic Transformation,” was authored by Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, a senior management staff of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). The 267-page book captures the milestones, lessons, and transformational impact of Nigeria’s local content policy—both at home and across Africa.
Drawing from his background in media and experience at the NCDMB, as well as his doctoral studies in Energy Communication, Dr. Ezeobi presents a compelling narrative of how strategic communication, stakeholder collaboration, and national policy alignment have shaped Nigeria’s local content evolution since the Act’s inception in 2010.
The book, written in an engaging and accessible style, has received widespread endorsements from key industry players. Dr. Ernest Nwapa, pioneer Executive Secretary of NCDMB, wrote the foreword, praising the book’s contribution to local content knowledge. Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), recommended the publication to policymakers and content development stakeholders across Africa. Similarly, Engr. Emeka Ene, Chairman of Oida Energy and former PETAN Chair, commended the book for showcasing advocacy wins and local content milestones.
During a formal presentation in Abuja, NCDMB Executive Secretary Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe lauded the author for documenting the local content journey, noting the book’s design quality and the significance of its message. He confirmed the Board’s interest in procuring copies to support its advocacy and institutional knowledge efforts.
The book is divided into five parts, exploring:
- The evolution of the Nigerian oil and gas sector,
- Key elements of the NOGICD Act,
- Case studies of successful initiatives such as the Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap,
- The role of communication and stakeholder engagement in implementation,
- Contemporary challenges including divestments and Presidential Directives,
- And an empirical study on how communication impacts compliance in the sector.
Dr. Ezeobi emphasized that the Nigerian Content Act stands as one of the most impactful legislations since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, largely due to the deliberate communication and stakeholder strategies deployed by NCDMB and its partners. He explained that his motivation for writing the book stemmed from a desire to document these experiences and offer insights to a broad audience—including oil and gas professionals, regulators, scholars, host communities, and policymakers.
The author hopes the book will serve as a blueprint for other African nations looking to replicate Nigeria’s success. As Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim aptly noted in his endorsement, the lessons contained in the book can help countries “derive maximum value from natural resources, create jobs for our people, and develop our economies.”
