THE Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has announced plans to use the fourth edition of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair, NOGOF 2023, as catalyst for industrializing Nigeria.
Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary of the board disclosed this at the NOGOF 2023 pre-event press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.
The event is scheduled to hold on the 18th and 19th of May 2023 in Bayelsa State with the theme; “The Oil and Gas Industry – Catalyst and Fuel for the Industrialization of Nigeria.” And will also feature an award ceremony in recognition of distinguished industry players.
According to the programme, technical and opportunity sessions from various stakeholders will feature as well as exhibition that will enable networking opportunities for delegates and offer organizations the opportunity to present their activities and products to delegates.
The theme is important due to the critical role of the oil and gas industry in fueling industrialization and the overall development of the country’s economy.
NCDMB has also promised to raise the bar at this year’s event by expanding its focus to include the linkage industries and extend the reach beyond Nigeria to the entire African continent.
Wabote explained that the goal of incorporating linkage industries and expanding NCDMB’s reach beyond Nigeria to the entire African continent, is to showcase the various opportunities available in the oil and gas industry and foster partnerships that will drive growth and development in the sector.
“As the host of NOGOF 2023, our efforts are aligned with the key objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010, “NOGICD Act”, which mandates the NCDMB to support the development of local capacities and capabilities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, foster institutional collaboration, maximize participation of Nigerians in oil and gas activities, link the oil and gas sector to other sectors of the economy, maximize utilization of Nigerian resources, among other objectives.
“Our goal is to use NOGOF as a platform to promote these objectives and drive growth and development across the Nigerian oil and gas value chain. We are excited to engage with key stakeholders, foster the development of local content, and strategize on capacity building initiatives that will benefit the industry and the broader economy.
“In doing so, we hope to stimulate investment, foster technology transfer, and enhance local content development across the African oil and gas value chain.
“We recognize that the oil and gas industry has the potential to catalyze industrialization and promote economic growth, not just in Nigeria, but across the continent. As such, we are excited to welcome delegates, partners, and governmental bodies from different parts of Africa to engage in quality discussions and explore new business opportunities.
“One of the key objectives of NOGOF 2023 is to bring together key stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to discuss ways to deepen local content by leveraging identified opportunities and identify solid ways to move the industry forward.
“At NCDMB, we remain committed to providing information about the various opportunities available to stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, particularly investors. As such, we have prepared a Compendium of Nigerian Content Opportunities in the Oil and Gas Industry 2023, which will be made available to all delegates at the event.
“Our goal is to provide a valuable resource that will guide the investment strategies of interested parties in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. We are confident that the Compendium will serve as a useful tool in identifying and pursuing investment opportunities that align with the local content requirements of the industry,” he said.
He also enjoined interested investors, operators, government officials, and major players across various sectors to visit the website at www.ncdmbnogof.org for information on how to get involved in any capacity.
The website will also be updated at intervals with the latest information of how to get involved.
“We have secured some sponsors and exhibitors, but there are still opportunities to be a sponsor and an exhibitor and interested stakeholders can visit the dedicated NOGOF 2023 website”
Realnews reports that the 1st and 2nd editions of the fair were hosted in Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States, respectively, while the 3rd edition was hosted virtually due to the COVID -19 pandemic.