NCDMB urges youth development, local manufacturing for economic growth
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has emphasised the importance of youth development and local manufacturing in promoting sustainable Nigerian Content and building a resilient economy.
The board stated this at the unveiling of winners of the 10th edition of its Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition 2026 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, on Thursday.
The competition, which attracted about 5,000 entries from 52 universities across the six geopolitical zones, focused on “Promoting Manufacturing for Sustainable Local Content Development.”
Mr. Wisdom David Fabunmi, a 200-level Physiotherapy student of the University of Ilorin, emerged overall winner, receiving N1 million, a laptop and a plaque.
Ms. Joy Oghogho Enogieru, a 100-level Doctor of Optometry student at the University of Benin, came second, winning N700,000, a laptop and a plaque.
Mr. Ahmadu Kodan Yusuf, a 100-level Law student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, emerged third and received N500,000, a laptop and a plaque.
The fourth to ninth-placed contestants received consolation prizes.
Representing the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, at the award ceremony, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, General Manager, Corporate Communications Division, said the competition supported the board’s mandate to develop human and material capacity in the oil and gas industry.
Ezeobi said the board implemented various capacity-building initiatives, including direct intervention training for graduates and artisans in technical and non-technical skills, as well as project-based training to equip Nigerians with industry-relevant experience.
He said the initiatives aligned with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010, which provides the framework for developing local capacity and promoting Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry.
According to him, universities are critical to developing ideas, encouraging innovation and generating solutions to national challenges.
He said the competition was designed to encourage undergraduates to think critically, conduct research and contribute ideas to the development of Nigerian Content.
Ezeobi listed other youth-focused initiatives of the board to include research centres of excellence at six universities, the Nigerian Engineering Olympiad and the Catch-the-Researcher-Young Programme.
The research centres are located at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Federal University of Technology, Minna; Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island; University of Port Harcourt; University of Ibadan; and Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola.
He added that the Nigerian Engineering Olympiad was designed to inspire innovation among engineering students, with its maiden edition concluded in July 2026.
The board is also implementing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Readiness Training programme to equip 10,000 young Nigerians with skills required for emerging projects in the industry.
Ezeobi said the essay competition’s focus on manufacturing was intended to challenge students to explore ways of strengthening Nigeria’s productive capacity and creating greater economic value.
He described manufacturing as the bedrock of sustainable local content development, noting that the board established the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme to support the production of components required by the oil and gas industry.
He said the board also implemented the Nigerian Content Equipment Commitment policy, which requires companies to demonstrate their manufacturing capacity and ability to execute key activities before securing contracts in the industry.
Earlier, the programme consultant, Mr. Eyinimi Omorozi, Chief Executive Officer of Mahogany 21st Century Concepts Ltd., described the ceremony as a celebration of a decade of investment in ideas by the NCDMB.
Omorozi commended the quality of entries, expressing optimism about the future of Nigerian youths.
He said the board was not only developing facilities and monitoring compliance but also investing in the intellectual development of young Nigerians.
Also, Prof. Promise Mebine, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, who chaired the occasion, commended the board for sustaining the competition and remaining committed to its vision.
Mebine said developing Nigerian Content went beyond building pipelines and platforms to investing in people, particularly young Nigerians.
He urged the winners to maximise the opportunities provided by the competition and encouraged other participants to continue researching, writing and contributing ideas to national development.
In a goodwill message, Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile, Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, commended the executive secretary, the Corporate Communications Division and the programme consultant for sustaining the competition.
He said the initiative had continued to benefit both the board and participating students.
