Abuja: The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has called for a more robust implementation of local content policies to stimulate the nation’s economy, create jobs, and drive industrialisation. The engineers made the call at the 2025 Annual Workshop of the Nigerian Content Development Committee (NCDC) in Abuja, held under the theme ‘Strengthening Nigeria’s Domestic Business Development: Leveraging Local Content Principles for Sustainable Economic Growth’.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Keynote Speaker, Prof. Uche Okorie, Fellow of NSE and Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), highlighted that local content in the Nigerian oil and gas context refers to the quantum composite value added or created in the Nigerian economy. This is achieved through the utilisation of Nigerian human and material resources for the provision of goods and services to the petroleum industry. Okorie emphasized that key elements include the use of local labour, local procurement, value-added manufacturing, capacity building, and technology transfer.

He noted that local content is not a form of nationalism for its own sake but must meet quality, safety, and environmental standards. Although originating in the oil and gas sector, the principle is applicable across various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, construction, and services. For Nigeria, local content signifies a transition from being primarily a consumer/importer of goods and services to becoming a producer, processor, and exporter.

Okorie asserted that local content remains a powerful tool for driving sustainable growth if effectively implemented across all sectors. He explained that local content policies play a crucial role in economic development by ensuring that Nigerian companies are involved in the production, manufacturing, and services sectors, thus enhancing economic growth and reducing unemployment. Okorie added that focusing on local content would help develop critical infrastructure, particularly in engineering and construction, creating sustainable opportunities for skilled workers across the country.

Despite Nigeria’s vast human and natural resources, Okorie explained that much of the country’s economic value is lost through foreign dominance of supply chains and import dependence. He urged the government and private sector to prioritise Nigerian skills, materials, and enterprises in all procurement and project planning processes. Local content, he said, is a pragmatic strategy for retaining value, building domestic capacity, and promoting innovation. He highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment through policies like the Nigeria First Procurement Policy and called for scaling that commitment across agriculture, ICT, manufacturing, and construction.

Okorie identified capacity building, access to finance, and technology transfer as critical enablers of local participation. He also called for stronger institutional oversight to ensure transparency and accountability in implementation. He concluded that leveraging local content principles is a powerful lever for strengthening Nigeria’s domestic business development and achieving sustainable economic growth.

Also speaking, NSE President and Chairman-in-Council, Mrs Margaret Oguntala, represented by Dr Aluyah Dauda, Vice President of Professional Development, stated that the NCDC holds a crucial position as the think-tank of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. She noted that through its work, the Society continues to advance key objectives central to the growth of the profession and the development of the country.

Oguntala outlined these objectives, which include promoting local content participation, enhancing indigenous capacity, advocating for effective policy implementation, encouraging technology transfer, fostering collaboration, supporting economic development, and ensuring the highest professional standards in engineering practice. She commended the NCDC for its firm dedication and valuable advice to the NSE on matters relating to local content development and the active participation of engineers and companies in engineering practice.

Earlier, the Chairman of NCDC, Mr Nnanna Ukaegbu, stated that the NCDC is NSE’s Presidential Committee responsible for identifying and collating business opportunities for Nigerian engineers. Ukaegbu added that the NCDC helps create an enabling environment for investors to engage with engineering inventors and innovators towards the commercialisation of their inventions within the framework of supportive government laws, policies, and guidelines. He mentioned that the committee is aware of current challenges in the Nigerian business environment, especially towards the adoption and implementation of SDG goals on sustainability, and finds it adequate to push forward opportunities open to the Nigerian Engineers. This year’s theme strategically aligns with the objective of the NSE President, Ukaegbu concluded, emphasizing that engineers must leave the earth better than they found it.