In the heart of Nigeria’s vibrant oil and gas sector, where global giants and indigenous innovators converge, lies a pivotal initiative driving sustainable growth and local empowerment: the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board’s (NCDMB) Business Mentorship Lecture Series (BMLS).
Established in 2019 under Section 67 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010, the BMLS has become a cornerstone for capacity building, fostering collaboration between seasoned industry leaders and emerging entrepreneurs. The series is designed to deliver targeted training, motivational insights, and actionable business advice to operators, contractors, and stakeholders, aligning with NCDMB’s mandate to enhance Nigerian participation in the petroleum industry.
The BMLS is more than a platform for knowledge transfer; it is one of NCDMB’s tools’ for transforming Nigeria’s oil and gas ecosystem. By engaging industry titans to mentor local firms, the series equips participants with the tools to navigate regulatory complexities, adopt cutting-edge technologies, and compete globally.
The September 8, 2025, edition, featuring Prof. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Chairman of NCDMB’s Governing Council, exemplified this mission, delivering profound insights that continue to resonate across the sector.
The BMLS was launched to promote the implementation of the NOGICD Act, which seeks to maximize Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry. The series aims to empower oil and gas companies through targeted training, motivation, and business advisory support. It addresses the NCDMB’s core mandate of developing the capacities of local firms and enhancing Nigerians’ capabilities to play pivotal roles in the sector. The official post-event press release reinforced this, noting that the BMLS, as mandated by Sections 67 and 70n of the NOGICD Act, fosters workshops and seminars to advance Nigerian content, promoting trends and mindsets for excellence.
This capacity-building initiative bridges the gap between emerging businesses and industry veterans, ensuring that indigenous firms are not mere participants but competitive players. By facilitating knowledge exchange, the BMLS drives operational efficiency, fosters innovation, and supports sustainable growth, aligning with Nigeria’s economic diversification goals under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021.
Since its inception, the BMLS has delivered measurable impacts. Feedback surveys indicate that indigenous firms have adopted best practices, such as supply chain localization and digital transformation. These gains translate to job creation and increased economic contributions through localized operations.
Previous editions of the series were held at the Nigerian Content Tower
The virtual format of this latest edition, via Zoom and YouTube, ensured nationwide access, making the BMLS a national knowledge hub comparable to international forums like those hosted by OPEC.
Past editions featured luminaries such as Mr. Atedo N.A. Peterside, who shared financial innovation strategies, and Engr. Tony Attah, whose insights on gas value chain optimization improved bidding success rates for service companies. These sessions have not only enhanced human capital but also bolstered the Nigerian Content Intervention (NCI) Fund, which supports over 200 indigenous projects annually, fostering sustainable development.
The Q3 2025 BMLS, held virtually on September 8, 2025, drew nearly 2,000 participants via Zoom and NCDMB’s YouTube channel. Moderated by Richmond Osuji, a leading oil and gas event compere, the event featured Prof. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, whose illustrious career spans roles at ExxonMobil, NNPC, and international bodies like OPEC, APPO, and GECF. His lecture, titled Navigating the Future: Strategies for Indigenous Growth in a Transforming Energy Landscape, offered a roadmap for resilience amid global energy transitions.
Kachikwu’s advocacy for increasing the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund to $1 billion captured headlines, as reported by Vanguard and ThisDay. He argued that a bolstered fund would provide seed capital for mega projects, pipe mills, and equipment manufacturing, reducing reliance on imports.
“A larger NCI Fund, with contributions from operators and investors, not just government, will unlock technology and skill development,” he stated, emphasizing its role in deep-water exploration and renewables R&D (Punch, September 9, 2025).
He also proposed strict timelines for oil block development, suggesting a five-year window to achieve first oil to curb speculative holding.
“Many awardees treat oil blocks like certificates of occupancy, causing huge losses,” he remarked, advocating for cancellations of undeveloped blocks (The Guardian, September 9, 2025).
Kachikwu stressed performance enforcement, urging companies winning contracts with local investment commitments to deliver tangible results, such as pipe manufacturing joint ventures.
Addressing global investment, Kachikwu noted, “There’s a lot of money waiting to be tapped, but it flows to countries with regulatory stability” (BusinessDay, September 9, 2025).
He called for an improved national image and co-investment models with private firms to attract funding. His insights on indigenous operators like Seplat and Aiteo highlighted the need for principled accounting and community involvement to avoid revenue losses and conflicts, a point echoed by Leadership newspaper.
Kachikwu’s advice to young professionals resonated deeply: “The industry isn’t just about barrels and dollars; it’s about national survival and community welfare. Adaptability, creativity, and ethics are non-negotiable” (Premium Times, September 9, 2025).
He urged new entrants to view their careers as a marathon, emphasizing self-belief and skill development to remain competitive.
Nigerian media outlets amplified Kachikwu’s messages.
The Sun (September 9, 2025) praised his call for policy consistency, noting his reflection on local content as a tool for industrialization and job creation.
Daily Trust highlighted his caution against ownership transfers without enhanced output, quoting, “Mere asset acquisition isn’t enough; we need management excellence and compliance.”
Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, NCDMB’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, lauded Kachikwu’s contributions, recalling his sign-off on the Waltersmith Refinery and the NCI Fund’s launch at $200 million, now grown to $450 million. The session’s interactive format, including a fireside chat and questions and answers, facilitated mentorship for emerging firms, extending the event’s impact.
The BMLS, under the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe’s leadership, continues to shape a resilient Nigerian oil and gas sector. Kachikwu’s prescriptions – expanding the NCI Fund, enforcing timelines, and fostering ethical leadership – offer a blueprint for unlocking billions in investments.
By nurturing indigenous firms and promoting sustainable practices, the NCDMB Business Mentorship Lecture Series ensures that Nigeria’s energy sector thrives in a dynamic global landscape.