The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has urged the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Company to prioritise the employment of Nigerian professionals ahead of expatriates, as the facility moves into full operations.
This call was made following the inauguration of a Joint Technical Committee to advance local content objectives at the 650,000-barrels-per-day refinery.
NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Felix Ogbe, conveyed this position in a statement issued on Thursday by the Board’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Obinna Ezeobi.
Ogbe emphasised the need to comply strictly with Sections 32 and 33 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, which govern local manpower utilisation. These sections mandate prior approval from NCDMB before any expatriate can be hired in the oil and gas sector.
“The NOGICD Act stipulates that no expatriate may be employed in any oil and gas organisation without the prior approval of the NCDMB. We are here to work with you, but we must also protect jobs for Nigerians,” he stated.
Ogbe commended the Dangote Group for its previous efforts in training and engaging Nigerian engineers and technicians, noting that future collaborations must further enhance local workforce inclusion.
“This partnership must ensure that qualified Nigerians are considered for every operational role. It’s critical for job creation, skills development, and national capacity building in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.
