By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) will on Monday, July 27, 2026, officially launch the Nigerian Content Trainers’ Registration Certificate (NCTRC), marking a significant milestone in the Board’s efforts to strengthen quality assurance and standardisation in human capacity development across Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The platform will be live on the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System (NOGIC-JQS) portal.

The NCTRC is a digital verification and certification platform developed by the NCDMB to assess, inspect, verify, and rate training service providers operating within the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The initiative gives effect to the Regulation for Training in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry, issued to the oil and gas industry in February 2021, which mandates the Board to prescribe minimum standards, facilities, and technology for the training and development of personnel in the industry.

The Regulation further mandates that the Board establish a verification process for routine inspections, assessments, and ratings of training programmes, facilities, service delivery, and performance. It also requires the Board to verify all information on training provided by operators and training providers on the NOGIC-JQS portal.

Developed by the Directorate of Capacity Building through its Infrastructural Development Division, the NCTRC provides a transparent and standardised framework for evaluating training providers based on the quality of their facilities, faculty, equipment, accreditations, operational capabilities, and previous training experience.

The certification covers eleven specialised Areas of Training Specialization (ATS), including Health, Safety and Environment; Engineering and Quality Assurance; Petroleum and Geosciences; Drilling, Production Operations and Oil and Gas Processing; Facilities Design and Construction; Project Management; Supply Chain Management; Asset Management and Maintenance; Information and Communication Technology; Entrepreneurship, Soft Skills and Oil and Gas Business; and Maritime, Nautical Studies and Offshore Logistics.

Training service providers seeking certification will be assessed against clearly defined criteria, including training facilities, qualified instructors, relevant accreditations, equipment, previous training experience, and on-the-job training capability. Approved organisations will be classified into five categories based on their demonstrated capacity and capability, while successful certificates will remain valid for two years.

The introduction of the NCTRC will strengthen confidence in training service providers by ensuring that only organisationswith the requisite facilities, personnel, and technical capacity are certified to deliver training within the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The initiative will also improve the quality, credibility, and standardisation of industry training programmes while supporting the development of a competent Nigerian workforce.

As part of the certification process, applicants will be required to submit verifiable information relating to their facilities, instructors, accreditations, equipment, previous training experience, and operational capacity. The Board will conduct documentary reviews and,

where necessary, physical or virtual facility inspections to validate all claims before certification is granted.

NCDMB wishes to remind all prospective applicants that the application, processing, and approval of the Nigerian Content Trainers’ Registration Certificate are completely free of charge. In line with the Presidential Directive on Local Content Compliance, the Board does not recognise the use of consultants, agents, or other third parties for NCTRC applications. All applications must be submitted directly by registered companies through their NOGIC-JQS accounts.

The Board also cautions that the submission of forged or falsified documents constitutes a criminal offence and may result in administrative sanctions, cancellation of certificates, and prosecution under the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, the Criminal Code Act, and other applicable laws.

Training service providers and other industry stakeholders are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the NCTRC Application Guidance Notes and commence applications through the NOGIC-JQS portal from Monday, July 27, 2026.

The launch of the NCTRC reinforces NCDMB’s commitment to building a globally competitive Nigerian workforce by ensuring that training delivered within the oil and gas industry meets established standards of quality, competence, and excellence, in line with the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.

By David Owei

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday, joined former President Goodluck Jonathan and other leaders, to reflect on the cost and benefits of oil exploration in the Niger Delta with a call on stakeholders to chart a better future for the region.

The leaders spoke at the opening of the 2026 Sweet Crude Dialogue held at the Conference Centre of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Towers in Yenagoa.

The Sweet Crude Dialogue, themed “Through the Python’s Eye: 70 Years of Oil and Gas Production in Nigeria,” brought together industry players, the academia and top government functionaries.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Mr. Doubara Atasi said the Chief Host, Senator Douye Diri represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, decried the level of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta and called on well-meaning organizations to work towards achieving justice for the region.

Quoting the report of the defunct Archbishop John Sentamu-led Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission, the Governor said about 13 million barrels of crude were spilled in the region between 1958, when Nigeria made her first shipment of crude, and 2010.

Describing the Commission’s findings as “sobering,” he said the Chairman described what had happened to the state as “nothing short of an environmental genocide.”

The Governor therefore urged De Mangrove Conversations and other environmental advocacy groups to collaborate with government to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission.

His words “The State Government has embraced the Commission’s findings, and the Governor has asked me to reaffirm, in the clearest terms, this administration’s commitment to environmental justice, the remediation of our lands and waters, the restoration of livelihoods, and a just energy transition in which the communities that bore the burdens of the oil age are not abandoned at its close.

“A report of such weight must not remain on the shelf, and government cannot carry this responsibility alone.

“The Bayelsa State Government, therefore, calls on De Mangrove Conversations and all environmental advocacy organizations, especially those working across the Niger Delta, to align their efforts with the implementation of the recommendations of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission.”

In his remarks as Chairman of the occasion, former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan said Nigeria could only make appreciable progress in the oil industry if most of the requirements for oil production were sourced locally.

He noted that mere export of crude oil would not lead to economic diversification or sufficient job creation.

“If we cannot develop or produce some of these things used in the oil industry within the country, we will not achieve anything significant in the oil industry. It is not just about selling of the crude oil.

“Yes, we earn money from that but that does not diversify the economy and create enough jobs. What will diversify your economy is the industrial aspects of the operations of the oil industry.

“That’s why I am happy with the local content board law my administration enacted in 2010 and the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021. With these two pieces of legislation and if they are followed to the letter with amendments where necessary, I believe things will be much better,” Jonathan said.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor of Comparative Petroleum and International Law and Policy, Prof. Ibibia Worika, said 70 years of oil production had generated unprecedented wealth for Nigeria but also exposed structural weaknesses in governance.

Prof. Worika added that the Niger Delta, which bears the brunt of oil production, has little to show for its contribution, stressing that environmental justice for the region is “a constitutional, moral and developmental imperative.

According to him, “instead of serving as a catalyst for economic diversification, petroleum gradually replaced agriculture, weakened manufacturing and encouraged dependency on resource rent.

“The Niger Delta has always borne the burden of oil production. The tragedy of the Niger Delta reminds us that development cannot be measured by revenue generation alone. And that development must necessarily improve the wellbeing of the people as well as protect the environment,” he said.

The Governor of Delta State, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prince Johnson Erijo, was among those who delivered goodwill messages at the two-day event.

The Dialogue also featured a plenary session with panelists including the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, represented by Pastor James Oworibo; National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Dr. Godknows Igali, represented by Prof. Stephen Olali; Vice Chancellor of Bayelsa Medical University, Prof. Dimie Ogoina; Prof. Ibaba Samuel Ibaba of Niger Delta University; and Managing Director of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Ogbe, represented by Barr. Esueme Kikile.

The session was moderated by a Professor of Nuclear Engineering and former Director General of Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Prof. Franklin Osaisai.

‎
‎By Emmanuel Ikpe, Uyo
‎
‎The Anua Offot Village Council in Uyo LGA have collaborated with stakeholders in the community to fight against destruction of properties at Holy Child Convent School and Boys School Anua as well as the neighborhood.
‎
‎The resolutions was reached at the palace of the Village Head over the week with critical stakeholders participated at the meeting which includes the village head, chairman of the village council, the Okuku Anua Offot, family heads, youth leader, some security personnels from the community, representative of the Catholic Church, and the two schools.
‎
‎Addressing the meeting, the village head of Anua Offot, Eteidung Linus Inyang harped on the need to secure the school environment based on incessant reports of insecurity cases and destruction of the school properties.
‎Chief Inyang called on stakeholders to rally support and resources to protect lives and properties within the school environment, noting that public properties like school and hospital are pride of the community and should be preserved.
‎Speaking, the Youth leader of Anua Offot, Obong Uduak Edim noted that there has been recurrent dismantling of the school building roofing sheets and stressed need for collaboration between the community, the church and school to provide security personnels to guard the premises while all parties bears the costs.
‎
‎Speaking on behalf of those securing the environment, Mr Emmanuel John Effiong recalled how some suspected persons allegedly entered the school premises to destroy the building and castaway the roofing sheets and irons, and Edim was of the opinion that those living within the school environment should be attentive and report suspicious movement to the village council and security personnels within.
‎The Chairman of Pastoral Council Catholic Church, Michael Ibanga disclosed that destruction of the school properties had been going on for a long time especially at night and raining time, he highlighted some of the hideouts usually used by the suspected elements parading the axis. He sued for partnership between Anua Offot, Ekpri Nsukara Offot and Ikot Oku Idio Offot who shared boundaries to safeguard the school environment.
‎Reacting, the head mistress of Boys School MMA Elizabeth Asunah and that of Holy Child Convent School, MMA Aniema Uboh both commended the village head, and his council members for the initiative and promised to work with them to provide the needed logistics and resources and collaboration to achieve the safety of the place for the benefits of all  those concerned.
‎Meanwhile the chairman of the village council, Chief Bassey Ekpeowo lauded the move and tasked all parties to be up and doing.
‎
‎By Emmanuel Ikpe, Uyo
‎
‎The Anua Offot Village Council in Uyo LGA have collaborated with stakeholders in the community to fight against destruction of properties at Holy Child Convent School and Boys School Anua as well as the neighborhood.
‎
‎The resolutions was reached at the palace of the Village Head over the week with critical stakeholders participated at the meeting which includes the village head, chairman of the village council, the Okuku Anua Offot, family heads, youth leader, some security personnels from the community, representative of the Catholic Church, and the two schools.
‎
‎Addressing the meeting, the village head of Anua Offot, Eteidung Linus Inyang harped on the need to secure the school environment based on incessant reports of insecurity cases and destruction of the school properties.
‎Chief Inyang called on stakeholders to rally support and resources to protect lives and properties within the school environment, noting that public properties like school and hospital are pride of the community and should be preserved.
‎Speaking, the Youth leader of Anua Offot, Obong Uduak Edim noted that there has been recurrent dismantling of the school building roofing sheets and stressed need for collaboration between the community, the church and school to provide security personnels to guard the premises while all parties bears the costs.
‎
‎Speaking on behalf of those securing the environment, Mr Emmanuel John Effiong recalled how some suspected persons allegedly entered the school premises to destroy the building and castaway the roofing sheets and irons, and Edim was of the opinion that those living within the school environment should be attentive and report suspicious movement to the village council and security personnels within.
‎The Chairman of Pastoral Council Catholic Church, Michael Ibanga disclosed that destruction of the school properties had been going on for a long time especially at night and raining time, he highlighted some of the hideouts usually used by the suspected elements parading the axis. He sued for partnership between Anua Offot, Ekpri Nsukara Offot and Ikot Oku Idio Offot who shared boundaries to safeguard the school environment.
‎Reacting, the head mistress of Boys School MMA Elizabeth Asunah and that of Holy Child Convent School, MMA Aniema Uboh both commended the village head, and his council members for the initiative and promised to work with them to provide the needed logistics and resources and collaboration to achieve the safety of the place for the benefits of all  those concerned.
‎Meanwhile the chairman of the village council, Chief Bassey Ekpeowo lauded the move and tasked all parties to be up and doing.
‎