NCDMB starts Academy to share knowledge with staff and oil and gas players

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched a new initiative to improve the skills of its staff. On Thursday, NCDMB kicked off its LearnFest Lecture Series. This platform aims to promote ongoing learning among staff and people in the oil and gas industry.

LearnFest is part of the Nigerian Content Academy (NCA). The NCA focuses on sharing knowledge and providing training for the agency's work. The lectures will cover the Board's mandate and the way it operates.

The three-hour event took place at the corporate headquarters in Yenagoa. All staff members were present. The main goal of the event was to help everyone understand the different parts of the organization. Each part has its own roles and how they work together towards common goals.

In a promo video, the Academy said that NCDMB’s knowledge is divided among seven directorates. Each one has its own tasks and ways to create value. The Academy believes that sharing knowledge between departments is important. It should flow freely instead of being locked away in separate areas.

The Academy said that LearnFest will help staff see the bigger picture. They want everyone to understand how the Board's work connects with its processes, culture, and relationships. The Academy said, "When we understand what others do, we collaborate better, support one another better, and work as one integrated ecosystem."

During the event, Abayomi Bamidele, the Director of the Capacity Building Directorate, spoke about the purpose of the Lecture Series. He mentioned that it aims to help staff and industry players understand Nigerian Content tools and processes.

Bamidele pointed out that it is important for industry players to interpret the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010. They also need to know the NCDMB Guideline for Nigerian Content Human Capital Development Implementation Strategy and the Nigerian Content Compliance Certificate (NCCC). He added, "LearnFest will make our work easier."

He revealed that many industry operators, service companies, and associations such as the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) have shown interest in sending their staff for this training.

Bamidele also mentioned that the NCA is working on building a faculty. The Lecture Series is a way to prepare for this. He said, "The people presenting [the lectures] could form part of our faculty." Those attending will also give feedback to see if the presenters are fit for the role.

Additionally, he said the Management of the Board has approved the use of the Board’s facility in Opolo, along the Opolo-Elebele Road in Yenagoa, for the NCA's training programmes.

In the first Lecture Series presentation, Mofe Megbele, the Manager of the Planning and Policy Development Department, spoke on "Understanding the Activities and Processes of the Planning, Research and Statistics Directorate." He covered topics like “Operating Framework for Planning Research and Statistics (PRS)” and “Inter-Directorate/Division Relations.”

Megbele explained that the Directorate has two main divisions: the Planning and Policy Development Division and the Research and Statistics Development Division. Both divisions have General Managers. He noted that the Planning and Policy Development Division was set up in September 2018 under Section 70 of the NOGICD Act. It is responsible for policies and guidelines for stakeholders and monitors their implementation.

The LearnFest Lecture Series will take place monthly for the next nine months. Each month will feature a specific Directorate. Attendance is mandatory for all NCDMB staff. Other oil and gas industry stakeholders can join in later editions.