NCDMB woos Chinese manufacturers to boost oil industry

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has been actively pursuing partnerships with Chinese original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to bolster Nigeria's oil and gas industry. Austin Uzoka, the Senior Technical Adviser to the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, made this announcement during the 15th China Shale Oil and Gas Summit in Chengdu, China.

Uzoka emphasized that the NCDMB aims to shift the relationship between Nigerian oil and gas operators and Chinese manufacturers from a mere buyer-seller model to a more comprehensive investment, manufacturing, and technology transfer approach. The NCDMB's Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Act guarantees support for manufacturing facilities established in Nigeria, which could also grant access to opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea.

The NCDMB's Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme is a platform designed to help Chinese OEMs set up manufacturing, assembly, and service operations within Nigeria, thereby fostering technology transfer, technical arrangements, and supply chain integration. Uzoka highlighted China's prowess in manufacturing, engineering, technology, and energy infrastructure as potential assets for Nigeria's industrial development.

The NCDMB sees this collaboration as a pathway to deepen Nigeria's industrial development agenda, focusing on manufacturing, technology ownership, and global competitiveness. The engagement is part of Nigeria's participation in the 15th China Shale Oil and Gas Summit, which took place from September 20 to 23 at the Chengdu Century City International Conference Centre.

The summit aimed to showcase investment opportunities in manufacturing, technology, and oil and gas services to Nigerian oil and gas stakeholders. The NCDMB used the event to inform prospective investors and industry players about Nigeria's oil and gas sector and local content opportunities.