Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Senate Committee on Local Content has pledged to tighten enforcement of Nigeria’s Local Content Policy, ensuring indigenous companies, workers, and professionals benefit from national resources across all sectors.
This declaration was made recently by Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas, Chairman of the Committee, during his keynote address at PNC 2025 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The Senator emphasized that local content is no longer restricted to oil and gas but extends to science, technology, and other strategic industries, reinforcing the government’s drive to maximize Nigerian participation in economic activities.
“Our policy aims to promote Nigerian professionals, goods, and services in all public contracts, while prioritizing indigenous capacity development,” Thomas said. “Procuring authorities must give preference to Nigerian companies and provide the necessary expertise to ensure compliance.”
The Committee highlighted the importance of improving welfare and career viability for Nigerian workers. Sections 35 to 39 of the Local Content Act mandate operators to invest in training, research, and human capital development, providing actionable legal standards rather than mere guidelines.
“Operators are required to employ Nigerians in junior and intermediate positions and run programs that promote education, training, and skills development,” the Senator noted.
“The Nigerian Project Development Advantage Board is crucial to fostering job creation, business growth, and skills acquisition.”
On enforcement, Thomas stressed that collaboration with the Nigerian Content Practice Association, NCPA, and other stakeholders is critical. He revealed that many international and national oil companies have failed to submit the ACF form, constituting complete abuse of the law.
“We are conducting investigations into non-compliant companies and will take appropriate action. Compliance must be measurable, verifiable, and not just on paper,” Thomas declared.
The Senator further called for fair participation by Nigerian companies, pointing out that locally-owned firms have developed fabrication and engineering capacity but are still overlooked by international oil companies, IOCs.
“We are reviewing Nigerian content plans, waivers, and compliance frameworks to create a level playing field where Nigerians genuinely benefit from employment opportunities, skills development, and business participation,” he said.
Addressing national interest and investment, Thomas emphasized that partnerships with foreign corporations should create Nigerian jobs and not undermine citizenship. “The Committee is working closely with the NCDMB and Nigerian Local Content Association to curb abuses and ensure adherence to the law.”
On human capital, he noted: “The most abused compliance area has been the human capital agreement. We are dedicated to ensuring that funds allocated for skills development are properly utilized and residents are prioritized.”
Finally, the Senator reiterated the critical role of stakeholders across engineering, fabrication, welding, geological, and high-tech sectors, underscoring that accountability and transparency are central to achieving the full potential of Nigeria’s Local Content Act.
“Our mission is clear: move from paper compliance to measurable, enforceable results that strengthen indigenous capacity and national economic growth,” Thomas concluded.
