Senate committee backs Tinubu’s Nigeria First Policy, demands strict local content compliance

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has reaffirmed the committee’s unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to empowering Nigerian workers, expanding decent job opportunities, and localising economic benefits across the oil and gas, science, engineering, and industrial sectors through the newly announced Nigeria First Policy.

Speaking at the 14th Annual Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum held on Monday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Senator Joel-Onowakpo described this year’s theme, “Securing Investments, Strengthening Local Content, and Scaling Energy Production,” as timely and crucial to Nigeria’s energy and industrial future. He emphasised that as the legislative oversight body enforcing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, Executive Order No. 5, and the Nigeria First Policy, the committee is intensifying efforts to ensure Nigerians become key players and beneficiaries in their economy.

He noted that the welfare of citizens remains central to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the committee is relying on its mandate in Order 96 of the Senate Standing Orders (2023) to strengthen business growth, job creation, and skills development. He also highlighted the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) as a vital institution in achieving the objectives of the NOGICD Act.

“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,” he said. “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.”

The senator, however, expressed sadness over Nigeria’s slow progress in local content development despite decades of oil exploration and 14 years since the passage of the NOGICD Act. “I am very happy because this year’s discourse intends to address the gap in local content development in Nigeria but sadly, that after 65 years 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,” he stated.

He described the NOGICD Act as one of the most transformative laws for economic nationalism, stressing that Sections 28 to 37 mandate operators to submit and implement employment and training plans ensuring Nigerians occupy roles across all operational levels. He identified Human Capital Development (HCD) as one of the most abused areas of compliance, insisting: “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.”

Senator Joel-Onowakpo condemned recent violations, including the recruitment of an expatriate into the previously Nigerian-held position of Director of Procurement at Chevron Nigeria Limited. He also criticised Sahara Group for refusing to remit the statutory 1% Human Capital Development fund meant to build local capacity in the industry.

On workers’ welfare and the need for sustainable livelihoods, he stressed that the committee’s focus goes beyond job numbers to include workplace safety and long-term career progression. Quoting sections of the NOGICD Act, he said: “‘All operators shall employ only Nigerians in their junior and intermediate cadre’ (Section 35)” and "An operator shall carry out a programme and make expenditure for the promotion of education, attachments, training, research and development in Nigeria (Section 37).”

The senator disclosed that the committee has already taken decisive steps by demanding full disclosure and critical documents from operators, including international oil companies, as well as the NCDMB. “Where there are gaps, inconsistencies, or red flags, we will summon operators and regulators. Where investigative hearings are necessary, we will conduct them,” he said.

“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 who are willfully undermining and shortchanging Nigerian citizens from benefiting from the intent of all the laws and Presidential Executive Orders.”