Nigeria has begun exporting fabrication services to the Middle East and several African countries, marking a new phase in the country’s industrial growth. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) disclosed that this development reflects the country’s excess capacity in fabrication, built on the back of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010.
Speaking at a workshop for media stakeholders and youth groups in Port Harcourt, officials of the Board said Nigeria now boasts over 50 world-class fabrication yards. They explained that this surplus capacity has enabled indigenous companies to expand beyond Nigeria’s borders into other oil-producing African countries, while also serving clients in the Middle East.
The Board highlighted that local ownership and control of marine vessels, rigs, and other key assets has further strengthened Nigeria’s position in the sector. With over 100 indigenous firms in the service sector already expanding operations across Africa, officials noted that the growth of fabrication capacity is transforming Nigeria into a regional hub for oil and gas industrial services.
According to the Board, the NOGICD Act vested it with the mandate to build local capacities without compromising standards, and to enforce compliance with local content regulations. Officials stressed that every operator in the sector works within clear guidelines and international ISO standards, ensuring predictability, quality, and accountability.
As part of its long-term strategy, the Board has invested heavily in research and development, establishing Centres of Excellence in six universities across the country. It explained that there is a direct connection between R\&D spending and economic growth, arguing that no country can achieve self-sufficiency in production without a strong research base.
The Board also pointed to strategic partnerships that have birthed projects such as Waltersmith Refinery, NEDO Gas Gathering Plant, and Better Gas Energy Services LPG Terminal, while several others, including Azikel Refinery and Ladol Power Plant, are under construction. Pressure vessels, galvanized steel structures, and offshore platforms are now fabricated locally, with the Egina FPSO project standing as proof of Nigeria’s advanced industrial capacity.
Officials said these achievements place Nigeria in a strong position to lead continental collaboration in oil and gas, particularly as Africa holds an estimated 125 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and 800 trillion standard cubic feet of gas. They expressed optimism that Nigeria’s success would inspire more African partnerships that drive shared growth and industrialisation.
The Board also underscored its human capital development mandate, which focuses on training, asset ownership, and building globally competitive skills in the oil and gas industry. Thousands of Nigerians have benefited from capacity-building initiatives designed to give them the competencies needed to thrive both locally and internationally.
At the workshop, Board executives urged media practitioners and youth groups to continue playing their role as watchdogs and gatekeepers, ensuring accurate reporting of the Board’s activities. They emphasised that the national conversation must remain focused on growing local content and strengthening the energy sector as a key driver of economic transformation.
