Chairman of the Senate on local content, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has emphasised a robust shift in the enforcement of local content laws in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The Senator made this known on Tuesday during a significant address at the 14th Annual Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
He warned international oil companies (IOCs), service providers, and regulators that the era of mere “paper compliance” with local content regulations, including the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, the Nigeria First Policy, and Presidential Executive Order No. 5, is over.
Senator Joel-Onowakpo articulated the theme of this year’s forum, ‘Securing Investments, Strengthening Local Content, and Scaling Energy Production,’ as particularly relevant as Nigeria aims to enhance local content development and transform the energy sector for sustainable growth.
His remarks, delivered in the presence of committee members, government officials, industry leaders, and international partners, signalled a commitment to measurable and verifiable adherence to local content policies, heralding a new era in Nigeria’s energy landscape.
He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing leadership to reposition Nigeria’s economic priorities toward empowering local industries and workers, describing local content development as central to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Expressing deep concern over what he described as a “systemic failure” in adhering to local content requirements, the senator lamented that Nigeria remains far behind in local capacity development despite decades of oil exploration and the enactment of the NOGICD Act in 2010.
“After 65 years of the discovery of crude oil in Nigeria, we are still way behind in local content development,” he said. “This forum must address this gap if we are serious about securing investments and scaling energy production.”
Joel-Onowakpo revealed that the Senate Committee on Local Content had commenced a comprehensive review of submitted local content plans, compliance frameworks, waivers, and performance reports.
He disclosed that several complaints had been received, including the recruitment of an expatriate as Director of Procurement in Chevron, a position previously held by a Nigerian.
Other complaints include Sahara Group’s refusal to remit the mandatory 1% Human Capital Development (HCD) levy, misuse of HCD funds meant for training Nigerians, and allegations that operators are sidelining qualified citizens in employment and contract awards.
He stressed that the committee would summon companies and regulators where necessary and conduct investigative hearings to address violations.
“Wherever there is negligence, we will act. And wherever the law is being ignored, we will correct it,” he stated.
The senator condemned widespread abuse of the HCD requirement, which mandates that 1–3% of every oil and gas project above $1 million be dedicated to capacity development for Nigerians.
“This is not decorative. It is how nations build engineering, fabrication, welding, geological and technology capacity,” he said. “We will not accept tokenism.”
Joel-Onowakpo also announced that the committee is working with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to expose and publicly shame companies undermining local content laws or exploiting Nigerian workers.
He reiterated the three national pillars for local content development: the NOGICD Act of 2010, Presidential Executive Order No. 5 (2018), and the Nigeria First Policy (2025).
He reminded operators that these laws were enacted to prioritise Nigerians in employment, procurement, and technology transfer, noting that Sections 28–37 of the NOGICD Act require that critical positions be Nigerianised within four years.
“The intention of the law is not ambiguous. The mandate is not optional,” he said.
To enhance transparency, the committee has opened multiple reporting channels for citizens to lodge complaints against operators or regulators.
“This is how a fair, balanced, and prosperous ecosystem is built,” Joel-Onowakpo added.
He emphasized that the federal government could not be blamed for unemployment when operators in the oil and gas sector deliberately bypass laws designed to protect Nigerian workers.
“Never again will jobs meant for our people be outsourced to expatriates,” he declared. “Everyone has a role, and everyone will be held accountable.”
The senator reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for investors while ensuring uncompromised adherence to local content regulations.
