The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reiterated its commitment to advancing Nigerian content within the oil and gas industry through research endeavors. In a recent statement, the NCDMB announced the successful organization of a three-day Research and Development Zonal Workshop for stakeholders in the oil industry and academia. The workshop, which took place at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, aimed to foster needs-driven research and enhance collaboration between the industry and academia.
In his keynote address, Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, emphasized the board’s mandate, as outlined in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010, to coordinate research and development activities to promote Nigerian content in the oil and gas sector. Ogbe highlighted the board’s efforts in identifying critical gaps hindering research in the sector, including inadequate infrastructure, funding constraints, and weak industry frameworks.
Ogbe outlined various measures implemented by the NCDMB to address these challenges, including the establishment of Research Centres of Excellence across the six geopolitical zones and the introduction of the Research and Development Fund. Launched in 2021 with an initial seed capital of $50 million, the fund aims to support both basic and applied research, endowments, and commercialization of research breakthroughs.
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Prof. Nnenna Oti, commended the NCDMB for its efforts in fostering research and innovation to enhance local content in the oil and gas industry. She praised the board for bridging the gap between academia and industry through initiatives such as research round table meetings, R&D Festivals, and the establishment of centers of excellence in universities.
Representatives from industry players, academia, and government agencies highlighted the importance of collaboration and linkages in driving national development. They emphasized the need for continued interactions and partnerships to strengthen research and innovation efforts in the country’s oil and gas sector.
The workshop, facilitated by experts in the field, aimed to stimulate collaboration and foster synergies between academia and industry stakeholders within the research and development space. Participants were encouraged to leverage the opportunity to enhance their skills in proposal writing and explore avenues for collaboration and partnership to drive innovation and enhance local content development in the oil and gas industry.
