The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is finalising a new procurement framework titled the Nigeria First Procurement Policy, aimed at strengthening local content in the oil and gas sector and ensuring energy sufficiency for the country.
The initiative was announced by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, during his keynote address at the 24th Nigerian Oil and Gas Energy Week held on Monday in Abuja.
According to Ogbe, the Nigeria First Procurement Policy is designed to deepen indigenous participation in the oil and gas value chain by ensuring that goods and services readily available within Nigeria are prioritised over imports. Foreign sourcing will only be allowed if there is clear evidence of insufficient local capacity, he said.
The executive secretary also revealed plans to commission a comprehensive baseline study to assess the capacity of indigenous service providers and manufacturers operating within the sector. This study is expected to guide the effective implementation of the policy and ensure its objectives are grounded in data.
“The policy is a deliberate step to entrench local capacity utilisation and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign inputs in the energy sector,” Ogbe stated, noting that it also builds on the Federal Government’s broader First Policy framework.
Industry stakeholders welcomed the move, describing it as a strategic intervention that could revive local manufacturing, stimulate job creation, and promote energy security through enhanced national self-sufficiency.
