Edith CHUKU
With a focus on credibility, compliance, and measurable impact, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board NCDMB, is set to hold the inaugural Champions of Nigerian Content Awards.
The award is designed to honor outstanding contributions to local content development in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The event which was scheduled to hold on May 21, 2025, at the NCDMB Conference Hall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, is part of the boards initiative to set a new standard for excellence in Nigeria’s energy sector.
While revealing the detailed selection criteria for the award, the Executive Secretary, Mr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe emphasized that the awards aim to become the oil and gas sector’s equivalent of the Oscars, celebrating genuine impact rather than mere participation.
Ogbe noted that, “this recognition is reserved for those who have gone beyond compliance to drive tangible growth in Nigerian Content.”
He said the award which is in 12 categories will recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing Nigerian Content in 2024.
Also, that the ceremony will coincide with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), further spotlighting industry excellence and contributions to national economic transformation.
According to the NCDMB, the criteria for oil and gas operators will include key and empirical benchmarks like Production output (crude oil and gas volumes), Compliance with Nigerian Content Plans (NCPs) and Nigerian Content Compliance Certificates (NCCCs), Adherence to NOGICD Act reporting requirements, such as submission of Nigerian Content Performance Reports and Employment & Training Plans.
Similar criteria will apply to financial institutions, media organizations, and individuals, ensuring a transparent and merit-based selection process.
Winners for the Nigerian Content Icon of the Year, Innovator of the Year, and Women in Leadership Award will also be selected based on measurable performance indicators.
The board also announced that in a bid to uphold the awards’ prestige, “an advisory committee of distinguished experts have been set up to oversee nominations and validate winners.
“Members include, the NCDMB Pioneer Executive Secretary, Dr. Ernest Nwapa, Secretary General, African Petroleum Producers Organization, Dr. Omar Farouk and former Zonal Operations Controller, DPR, Mr. Wole Akinyosoye.”
The 12 categories are, Nigerian Content Icon of the Year, Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award, Nigerian Content International Upstream Operator of the Year, Nigerian Content Independent Upstream Operator of the Year, Nigerian Content Midstream Operator of the Year.
Others are, Nigerian Content Downstream Operator of the Year, Nigerian Content International Service Company of the Year, Nigerian Content Indigenous Service Company of the Year Nigerian Content Innovator of the Year, Nigerian Content Financial Services Provider of the Year, Nigerian Content Media Organization of the Year, Women in Leadership Award for Promoting Gender Equality and Empowerment.
