By Barnabas Abu-Ngam
In a significant leadership transition, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe as the new Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). Replacing Mr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote after his seven and a half years of dedicated service, Ogbe brings a wealth of experience and a clear vision for the future.
A seasoned oil and gas engineer with over 37 years of diverse experience, Ogbe, an indigene of Warri South, Delta State, holds separate Masters Degrees in Civil Engineering and Construction Management.
His extensive career encompasses core oil and gas operations, local content expertise, and a global perspective gained from working in Nigeria, across Africa, South Korea, and the USA.
His professional journey includes significant roles at Chevron Corporation, where he held top positions both in Nigeria and overseas. His responsibilities ranged from Construction Services Group Superintendent to Offshore Projects Manager, demonstrating his expertise in engineering designs, project management, and facility maintenance.
During his initial meeting with the Directors and management of NCDMB shortly after his appointment in December 2023, Ogbe highlighted the agency’s notable achievements, particularly in human capacity development. He commended the program for producing skilled Nigerians now offering high-tech services in other African oil-producing countries.
Ogbe emphasized the need for continued high performance from the Board’s senior officials to maintain its premium position. Addressing the Nigerian Content 10-year strategic roadmap, which achieved 54 percent in its 6th year, he announced plans to invite expert consultants to certify performance metrics for greater authenticity.
The new Executive Secretary called for closer collaboration with contractors to expedite the delivery of key projects, such as the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme. He stressed the importance of sensitization programs across Nigeria to inform stakeholders about opportunities created by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
Ogbe expressed the importance of community engagement and highlighted his commitment to realizing the economic objectives of direct projects. His call for collaboration and efficient project delivery reflects his dedication to fostering positive outcomes for both the Board and the economy.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) was established in 2010 through the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act. The Board’s primary mandate is to guide, monitor, coordinate, and implement the provisions of the NOGICD Act, which was signed into law in April 2010.
Key functions of the NCDMB include reviewing and approving Nigerian Content plans, setting guidelines for content levels in oil and gas projects, conducting capacity-building initiatives, managing the Nigerian Content Development Fund, and monitoring compliance by operators and service providers.
The Board also awards Certificates of Authorization for projects adhering to Nigerian Content provisions. The history of NCDMB traces back to 2001 when President Olusegun Obasanjo initiated the Presidential Committee on Local Content in the Oil and Gas Industry. The NOGICD Bill, passed by the National Assembly during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010, led to the establishment of NCDMB, with Dr. Ernest Nwapa as the pioneer Executive Secretary, followed by Arc Denzel Kentebe and Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote.
As Felix Omatsola Ogbe takes the helm at NCDMB, his wealth of experience, strategic focus, and commitment to collaboration and progress position him as a dynamic leader with a vision for the future. The Nigerian oil and gas industry can anticipate continued growth and innovation under his leadership.
*Abu-Ngam is a public affairs analyst.
