NCDMB Boosts Energy Ties with China at Oil and Gas Summit

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is working hard to attract Chinese investment and technology into Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. They engaged with over 100 Chinese Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in Chengdu, China.

This engagement was part of the Board’s participation in the 15th China Shale Oil and Gas Summit, held from September 20 to 23, 2026, at the Chengdu Century City International Conference Centre. The summit, with the theme "Empowering Efficient and Green Development via Intelligent Technologies, Innovating to Lead the Shale Oil and Gas Revolution," allowed NCDMB and oil industry representatives to showcase Nigeria’s local content framework and investment chances in manufacturing, technology, and other oil and gas services.

Austin Uzoka, the Director of Project Certification and Authorization Division (PCAD) and Senior Technical Adviser to the Executive Secretary, represented Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB. On the first day of the summit, he gave a keynote speech titled, "Nigeria’s Local Content Journey and Opportunities for Chinese Collaboration in Oil and Gas Equipment Manufacturing."

He said NCDMB aims to change the relationship between Nigerian oil and gas and Chinese manufacturers from a simple buyer-seller model to one focused on investment, manufacturing, technology transfer, and better integration into global supply chains.

Uzoka assured that the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development (NOGICD) Act guarantees that any oil and gas equipment manufacturing facility set up in Nigeria will be used by the oil and gas industry. There are also chances across the Gulf of Guinea.

"We are looking beyond the traditional buyer-seller relationship. What can we build together? We want Chinese companies to see Nigeria not simply as a market for their products but as a strategic investment destination, a platform for manufacturing and technology development, and a gateway to opportunities across the wider African market," he said.

He mentioned the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS) as a place for industrial investment. He encouraged Chinese OEMs to set up manufacturing, assembly, and service operations in Nigeria, with chances for technology transfer, technical arrangements, and including Nigerian businesses in their supply chains.

Uzoka pointed out China’s skills in manufacturing, engineering, technology, and energy infrastructure as opportunities to support Nigeria’s industrial growth.

"China has developed tremendous capabilities in manufacturing, engineering, technology, and energy infrastructure. We want to explore how those capabilities can be connected with the opportunities that exist in Nigeria for mutual benefits," he added.

On Nigeria’s local content journey, he explained that the focus has shifted from just increasing Nigerian participation in oil and gas projects to a broader push for industrial capacity, manufacturing, technology ownership, and global competitiveness.

"Nigeria’s local content journey has evolved significantly since the Local Content Law was enacted in 2010. What began as an effort to increase Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry has developed into a broader industrial development agenda focused on building capabilities, deepening manufacturing, promoting technology ownership, and positioning Nigerian businesses to compete within regional and global markets," he observed.

The second day of the summit included a Business-to-Business (B2B) session organized by NCDMB. More than 100 Chinese equipment manufacturers and Nigerian oil and gas industry stakeholders took part to discuss local manufacturing, supply-chain integration, investment, technology development, and market access.

Representatives from the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), led by Mr. Sylvester Ovunwese, joined members of Project 100, including Mrs. Olateju Oyelakun of Encapsulate Nigeria Limited and Mr. Namdi Akudulu of Wider Energy. Renaissance African Energy Company was represented by its General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Olarenwaju Lanre Olawuyi, who made a presentation for the company and the Oil Producing Trade Session (OPTS).

This session gave Nigerian companies a chance to showcase their skills while Chinese manufacturers looked into market entry, local production, and technical cooperation. Many Chinese OEMs showed interest in forming business relationships with Nigerian companies and joining Nigeria’s growing oil and gas manufacturing scene.

In her closing remarks, the General Manager, Midstream, PCAD, Ms. Lekoma Phimia, expressed happiness with the session's results. She urged everyone to build on the connections made during the session to create viable and sustainable business relationships.

NCDMB also participated in the exhibition, where their booth attracted visitors, industry players, and potential investors wanting to know more about Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, local content opportunities, and how to set up business operations in Nigeria.

The Chengdu event shows NCDMB’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s international industrial ties and pushing the goals of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act. By linking Nigerian businesses with global manufacturers and technology providers, NCDMB aims to advance the local content agenda from participation to capability, from capability to manufacturing, and from manufacturing to technology ownership and regional competitiveness.