… says, “If Nigerian content fails, Africa fails. What Nigeria cannot do, Africa cannot do”
“You are not just the future—you are already in the driver’s seat- Minister urges Nigerian youth
by Toheeb Adeyemi (Bayelsa)
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging local content as a strategic tool for industrialization, innovation, and inclusive economic growth in Nigeria.
He made this declaration while delivering his keynote address at the 2025 Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), ongoing in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The Minister stated that the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has transitioned from enforcing compliance to driving real impact.
He said, “I am proud of how the NCDMB has evolved—from fostering compliance to becoming a force for industrialization, innovation, and enterprise development.
“We have moved beyond setting targets to delivering real impact,” Lokpobiri said.
According to him, indigenous companies are now building Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units, managing key industry assets, and setting service standards that meet and exceed global benchmarks.
“This is the Nigeria we envisioned—one that sets global standards and becomes a reference point for other nations,” he stated.
Lokpobiri further stated that the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund, managed by the Bank of Industry (BoI), and disbursed at single-digit interest loans to local companies, has served as a critical growth lifeline.
“The fund has helped indigenous businesses scale operations and delivers value across the sector for the betterment of all of us,” he noted.
He also lauded Project 100+, an initiative between the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the NCDMB, which has supported 100 indigenous companies with the aim of grooming them into global champions.
“These are not just regional players. They are being prepared to compete on the global stage,” he added.
Speaking on the theme of the event, “Driving Investment & Production Growth: Shaping a Sustainable Future for Nigeria’s Oil & Gas Industry Through Indigenous Capacity Development”, the Minister stated that the event is more than just a trade fair, describing it as a national platform designed to foster catalytic and measurable progress.
“The opportunities being showcased here are not theoretical—they are real, verifiable, and actionable.
“We are unveiling multi-billion-dollar investment opportunities across the upstream, midstream, and downstream value chains—including crude oil processing, marginal field development, refining, construction, logistics, and more—all anchored in local content,” Lokpobiri stated.
Addressing stakeholders, Lokpobiri challenged financiers, exploration and production companies, and contractors to move beyond conversations.
“Use this moment to initiate commitments, spark concrete partnerships, sign meaningful MoUs, and take definitive investment decisions that will shape Nigeria’s oil and gas narrative for decades to come,” he urged.
In a strong message to Nigerian youth and local entrepreneurs, the Minister said, “You are not just the future—you are already in the driver’s seat. What you do today will determine the results we reap tomorrow.”
Lokpobiri therefore assured that the Ministry and NCDMB are actively running training programmes, mentorship initiatives, and funding schemes aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the skills and access needed to lead innovation in the energy sector.
“Whether you’re a startup, a young engineer seeking employment, or a local consultant—there is a place for you in Nigeria’s oil and gas ecosystem,” he added.
Reaffirming the Tinubu administration’s commitment, the Minister said, “The time for excuses is over. The time for serious, collective decision-making is now.
“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, the oil and gas sector is being repositioned as a platform for national security, economic growth, justice, and intergenerational wealth creation.”
He stressed that achieving this transformation would require unity of purpose, confidence in national capabilities, and an unwavering commitment to growth.
“Let NOGOF 2025 be remembered as the turning point for transformative growth—especially in forging strategic partnerships. By the time we gather for NOGOF 2026, we should not just be talking about potential—we must be reviewing concrete milestones we’ve achieved,” he said.
In a passionate pan-African appeal to industry stakeholders and local players, the Minister declared, “The oil and gas sector will determine whether Nigeria succeeds as a nation.
“If Nigerian content fails, Africa fails. What Nigeria cannot do, Africa cannot do.
“When we talk about African local content, we must be referring to Nigerian local content. We must lead by design.”
“We cannot afford to fail. If Nigerian Content fails, the entire continent fails with it,” Lokpobiri concluded.
Ministerial Address by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (Ph.D), Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) at the 2025 Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) was established with a clear mandate—to significantly deepen local content in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The theme of this year’s fair, “Driving Investment and Production Growth”, is not merely a slogan; it is a strategic call to action to unlock new exploration opportunities, attract sustainable investment, and stimulate production growth across the energy value chain.
To stabilize our economy and enhance national energy security, we must urgently ramp up crude oil production.
A strategic part of our agenda is to prioritize indigenous expertise, ensuring that Nigerian innovation and enterprise become central to economic growth and industrial transformation.
Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we have received a clear directive: reengineer the entire energy value chain to make it more efficient, inclusive, and attractive to both local and global investors.
A major component of this vision is having comprehensive seismic data across all exploration fronts—an essential tool for de-risking investment and making sound policy and operational decisions.
The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has laid a solid foundation by streamlining regulations, improving the fiscal terms and enhancing operational transparency.
Furthermore, through a series of Executive Orders, President Tinubu has approved measures aimed at catalyzing investment and ensuring Nigeria remains Africa’s most dynamic and investable energy market.
We are no longer just enabling investment—we are fostering bankable, de-risked, and sustainable opportunities in African most dynamic energy landscape. This is a new era of enterprise.
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