The Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has reaffirmed his committee’s unwavering support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR commitment to the empowerment of Nigerian workers, the expansion of decent job opportunities, and the localisation of economic benefits across the oil and gas, science, engineering, and broader industrial sectors with the recent announcement of the NIGERIA FIRST POLICY.
Senator Joel-Onowakpo made the observation in his address presented at the 14th Annual Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum, held yesterday (02-12-25) in Yenagoa. Bayelsa State, saying that the theme of this year’s gathering, “Securing Investments, Strengthening Local Content, and Scaling Energy Production”, could not have come at a more critical time.
He noted that as the legislative oversight body driving compliance with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, Executive Order No. 5 and the Nigeria First Policy, they were intensifying efforts to ensure that Nigerians are not bystanders but key players and beneficiaries in their own economy, adding that at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) lies the Nigerian welfare.
Relying on the mandate of the Committee as stipulated in Order 96 of the Senate Standing Orders (2023), he reiterated that the committee will work hard to create an enabling environment that fosters the growth of businesses, promote job creation and develop critical assets and skills, adding that the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) plays a vital role in achieving the intent of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010.
“It is a privilege to join you at this year’s Practical Nigerian Content Forum, a gathering that has matured into the central marketplace for ideas, collaboration, and accountability in the Local Content ecosystem. I thank the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board for sustaining this platform and for inviting stakeholders to deepen a dialogue that is essential to our nation’s industrial future.
“I am very happy because this year’s discourse intends to address the gap in local content development in Nigeria, but sadly, after 65years of the discovery and exploration of crude oil in Nigeria and after the enactment of the NOGICD Act in 2010, we are still way, way behind.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, added that the NOGICD Act of 2010, one of the most transformative laws for economic nationalism, aims to ensure that Nigerians are prioritised in employment, procurement, and service delivery, stressing that Sections 28 to 37 of the Act mandates operators to submit and implement employment and training plans that ensure Nigerian nationals occupy roles across all levels—junior, intermediate, and management.
Senator Joel-Onowakpo noted that one of the most abused areas of compliance has been Human Capital Development (HCD).”The NOGICD Act mandates that 1%–3% of the value of every oil and gas project above $1 million must be dedicated to capacity development for Nigerians. This provision is not decorative. It is not aspirational. It is not voluntary. This is how nations build the engineering, fabrication, welding, geological, and high-technology expertise needed for the future.
He frowned at the recruitment of an expatriate as director of procurement, a position previously occupied by a Nigerian in Chevron Nigerian Limited, just as he lamented Sahara Group’s refusal to comply with the law by remitting the 1% for the Human Capital Development of local capacity.
On workers’ welfare, skills, and sustainable livelihoods, the Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District said the Committee’s commitment is not limited to employment numbers but is equally interested in improving the welfare, workplace safety, and long-term career viability of Nigerian workers.
“Sections 35 to 39 of the NOGICD Act mandate operators to invest in training, research, and human capital development.
These provisions are not ornamental—they are actionable legal standards.
“All operators… shall employ only Nigerians in their junior and intermediate cadre…” (Section 35).
“An operator shall carry out a programme and make expenditure… for the promotion of education, attachments, training, research and development in Nigeria…” (Section 37).
“Over the past months, the Senate Committee on Local Content has taken decisive action. We have written to operators — IOCs and other oil and gas companies and the NCDMB — demanding full disclosure and submission of critical information and documents. Where there are gaps, inconsistencies, or red flags, we will summon operators and regulators. Where investigative hearings are necessary, we will conduct them.
“Work has commenced — and let me assure you — we will not let up. We are also collaborating with Nigeria Labour Congress to address these abuses and shame companies that are willfully undermining and shortchanging Nigerian citizens from benefiting from the intent of all the laws and Presidential Executive Orders,” he stated.
