The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) hosted a transformative three-day Research and Development (R&D) Zonal Workshop at Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, bringing together oil and gas industry stakeholders and leading academics.
The workshop, sponsored by NCDMB, focused on fostering needs-driven research, collaboration, and linkages in the sector.
The event, scheduled to be hosted across six geopolitical zones by NCDMB Centres of Excellence in various universities, aims to showcase and discuss breakthroughs in software and hardware relevant to oil and gas industry needs.
Topics explored include bioremediation, oil field chemicals solutions, and renewable energy solutions to address industry demands. Additionally, the workshop seeks to enhance the capacity of research directors and lecturers, particularly in crafting compelling research proposals.
In a keynote address, NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, emphasized the Board’s authority, as outlined in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, to coordinate and supervise research and development efforts.
He highlighted critical gaps identified in the sector, such as the lack of research infrastructure and funding, and shared measures, including the establishment of Research Centres of Excellence and the NCDMB Research and Development Fund.
Ogbe celebrated the success of the NCDMB Technology Innovation and Incubation policy, citing the commissioning of the Amal Technology Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing Facility in Abuja as a result of research commercialization.
He underlined the Board’s commitment to stimulating research with the launch of the Nigerian Content Research and Development Fund in 2021, starting with an initial seed capital of $50 million.
NCDMB’s Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Isaac Yalah, provided insights into the six research centers of excellence hosted by different universities across geopolitical zones. The Workshop, described as a journey towards collaboration and linkage between industry, academia, and government, was emphasized as crucial to Nigeria’s economic development.
The Vice Chancellor of NDU, Allen Aziba-Odumosu Agih, expressed gratitude for the partnership with NCDMB and acknowledged the importance of selling the output of resource persons to the industry.
The workshop featured technical sessions with presentations on software and hardware development, oil field chemical innovation, and funding accessibility for research and development.
Prominent resource persons included Mr. ThankGod Egbe, Managing Director, CypherCrescent; Dr. Keluo Chukwuogu, Founder/CEO, Boskel Nigeria Ltd.; Professor Joel Ogbonna, Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Abia State; and other industry experts. The workshop provides a platform for industry players, academics, and policymakers to collaborate, fostering innovation and addressing challenges in the oil and gas sector.
