The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has convened media professionals in Abuja for a one-day capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening the role of the media in advancing Nigerian Content across the oil and gas industry.
Opening the session, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, emphasized the critical responsibility of the media in documenting the Board’s achievements and amplifying policies that support the sustainable growth of local content. He noted that informed and engaged journalism remains vital to deepening public understanding of Nigerian Content initiatives and their impact on national development.
A major highlight of the workshop was an interactive presentation by the Group Managing Director of Leadership Newspaper, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene. In his session titled From Pen to Profit, Ishiekwene explored practical strategies for journalists to build sustainable income streams in the digital age. His presentation sparked robust discussions on creativity, monetisation, digital innovation, and the power of impactful storytelling in today’s evolving media landscape.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of Corporate Services, NCDMB, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, provided insights into the Board’s mandate and progress in implementing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act. He revealed that Nigerian Content in the oil and gas sector has grown from 42 percent to 61 percent, with a clear target of achieving 70 percent by 2027. Halilu highlighted ongoing efforts in industrialisation, job creation, and enforcement mechanisms designed to deepen local participation in the sector.
The workshop featured lively question-and-answer sessions, during which journalists exchanged views on accountability, professional capacity building, and the media’s responsibility in sustaining Nigerian Content development. Participants described the engagement as timely and impactful, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between regulators and the media in driving national development objectives.
