The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has stepped up efforts to attract Chinese investment, technology and manufacturing capacity into Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, engaging more than 100 Chinese Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in Chengdu, China.

The engagement took place as part of the Board’s participation, alongside representatives of the Nigerian oil industry, in the 15th China Shale Oil and Gas Summit held from 20 to 23 September 2026 at the Chengdu Century City International Conference Centre.

Held under the theme, “Empowering Efficient and Green Development via Intelligent Technologies, Innovating to Lead the Shale Oil and Gas Revolution,” the summit provided an avenue for NCDMB and key oil industry stakeholders to present Nigeria’s local content framework and investment opportunities in manufacturing, technology and wider oil and gas services.

Representing the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Director, Project Certification and Authorization Directorate (PCAD) and Senior Technical Adviser to the Executive Secretary, Engr. Austin Uzoka, delivered a keynote address on the first day of the summit.

His presentation was titled, “Nigeria’s Local Content Journey and Opportunities for Chinese Collaboration in Oil and Gas Equipment Manufacturing.”

Engr. Uzoka said NCDMB was seeking to expand the relationship between Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and Chinese manufacturers beyond a conventional buyer-seller arrangement to include investment, manufacturing, technology transfer and deeper participation in global supply chains.

He also assured prospective investors that the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development (NOGICD) Act guarantees patronage from the oil and gas industry for equipment manufacturing facilities established in Nigeria, while creating additional opportunities 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.

The Executive Secretary also highlighted the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS) as an industrial investment platform for Chinese OEMs interested in establishing manufacturing, assembly and service operations in Nigeria.

According to the presentation, the scheme offers opportunities for technology transfer, technical arrangements and the integration of Nigerian businesses into the supply chains of international manufacturers.

China’s established capabilities in manufacturing, engineering, technology and energy infrastructure were also identified as areas that could support Nigeria’s industrial development.

“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.

Speaking on Nigeria’s local content development, Engr. Austin said the country’s approach had expanded from increasing Nigerian participation in oil and gas projects to a wider industrial development agenda covering manufacturing, technology ownership and international competitiveness.

“Nigeria’s local content journey has evolved significantly since the Local Content Law was enacted in year 2010. What began primarily 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 organised by NCDMB, attracting more than 100 Chinese equipment manufacturers and Nigerian oil and gas industry stakeholders.

Discussions during the session focused on local manufacturing, supply-chain integration, investment, technology development and market access.

Representatives of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), led by Mr. Sylvester Ovunwese, participated in the engagement alongside representatives of Project 100. These included 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, Engr. Olarenwaju Lanre Olawuyi, who made a presentation on behalf of the company and Oil Producing Trade Session (OPTS).

The B2B engagement allowed Nigerian companies to present their capabilities while Chinese manufacturers examined opportunities for market entry, local production and technical cooperation.

The engagement subsequently attracted significant interest from participating Chinese OEMs, with several indicating willingness to explore business relationships with Nigerian companies and take part in Nigeria’s growing oil and gas manufacturing ecosystem.

At the close of the session, the General Manager, Midstream, PCAD, Ms Lekoma Phimia, expressed satisfaction with the outcome and encouraged stakeholders to build on the connections established during the engagement by developing commercially viable and sustainable business relationships.

NCDMB’s participation also extended to the exhibition floor, where its booth attracted visitors, industry players and prospective investors seeking information about Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, local content opportunities and ways to establish business operations in the country.

The Chengdu programme forms part of NCDMB’s efforts to broaden Nigeria’s international industrial connections and advance the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.

Through its engagement with global manufacturers and technology providers, the Board is seeking to advance the local content agenda from participation to capability, capability to manufacturing, and manufacturing to technology ownership and regional competitiveness.

Source: ncdmb.gov.ng