The fourth edition of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) 2023 will explore emerging opportunities in the oil and gas industry, linkage sectors as well as the entire African continent, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. SimbiKesiye Wabote announced on Wednesday.

He spoke in Abuja in a media parley convened ahead of the biennial NOGOF scheduled to hold at the NCDMB Conference Hall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on May 18and 19, with delegates registration and a welcome cocktail planned for a day earlier.

He explained that NOGOF was conceptualized in 2016 as part of the Board’s strategies to develop the oil and gas industry and provide a platform to showcase the various opportunities available in the oil and gas industry and foster necessary partnerships in the sector. He expressed regrets that Nigerian oil and gas service companies missed out on several opportunities in the sector prior to the introduction of NOGOF because no fora existed to showcase forthcoming projects and give them ample to prepare themselves and acquire requisite capacities.

He hinted that previous editions of NOGOF have made a tremendous impact on the Nigerian oil and gas industry, pointing to the ongoing Nigeria LNG Train 7 project as one of the visible benefits. He explained that 50 percent of the entire US$5bn project scope is currently being executed in-country through Nigerian vendors and that was achieved because key officials of the Nigeria LNG showcased the opportunities inherent in the project at the 2019 edition of NOGOF, thus enabling indigenous companies to prepare them adequately.

He hinted that the local content accomplishment on the Train 7 project is a major departure from the insignificant levels that were recorded while constructing Train 1-6. He affirmed that Nigeria could target 70 percent of the entire project scope when the next train of the LNG would be executed.

On the expansion of 2023 NOGOF to linkage sectors and countries, the Executive Secretary explained that the oil and gas industry has the potential to catalyze industrialization and promote economic growth across sectors, not just in Nigeria, but across the continent. “We hope to stimulate investment, foster technology transfer, and enhance local content development across the African oil and gas value chain,” he added.

He emphasized the need to explore the opportunities that lie in other African countries, especially after we had built huge capacities in-country and they are not being matched by local opportunities and projects. He said: “In that case, you need to expand your market outside. We tell our sister African countries that there is no need to go to America, Europe and Asia for oil and gas capacities that exist in the continent, an example is the FPSO integration facility in Lagos. They should come to Nigeria and other sister African countries, so we can share the benefits, reduce our costs and grow together, especially with the spirit of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).

The Executive Secretary further stated that the ideas for hosting NOGOF 2023are “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.”

He also dwelt on the theme of this year’s edition, which is “The Oil and Gas Industry – Catalyst and Fuel for the Industrialization of Nigeria,” describing it as important as it highlights the critical role of the oil and gas industry in fueling industrialization and overall development of Nigeria’s economy.

He added that the event will provide an opportunity for investors, operators, government officials, and major players across various sectors to engage in quality discussions, hinting that the Board has secured some sponsors and exhibitors, but there are still opportunities for sponsorship as exhibitors and interested stakeholders can visit the dedicated NOGOF 2023 website at www.ncdmbnogof.org for information on how to get involved in any capacity.

Managing Director, Jake Riley, NOGOF project consultant, Mrs. Funmi Ogbue noted that, “with the incorporation of the linkage industry and the reach beyond Nigeria to other African countries, the stakes are even higher to ensure collaboration and success.” 

She lauded the NCDMB for the democratisation of access to participation, the development of the industry and the shared prosperity that comes with the initiatives.

The Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Akintunde Adelana recalled that although the 2021 edition of NOGOF was held virtually, it still recorded a huge success and had 700 delegates online, with 600 persons participating actively in the sessions. He added that 12 companies exhibited virtually and there were 1600 virtual visits.