Former President Goodluck Jonathan has revealed that China’s success in building a strong domestic oil and gas industry influenced Nigeria’s decision to introduce its local content policy, while praising the progress made in increasing indigenous participation in the sector.
Jonathan made the remarks during the SweetCrude Dialogue 2026 held at the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where discussions focused on the history and future of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The former president said he remained proud of signing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act into law in 2010, describing it as a major step toward empowering Nigerian companies and professionals in the petroleum sector.
He explained that the idea behind the legislation was shaped by a visit to China while serving as Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, where he observed that most equipment and services used in China’s oil industry were produced locally.
Jonathan said the difference between China’s industrial development and Nigeria’s heavy dependence on foreign technology, expertise, and equipment convinced him of the need for a legal framework that would promote local capacity and retain more economic value within the country.
He commended the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for its efforts in expanding local participation in the oil and gas industry and supporting the objectives of the Nigerian Content Act.
The NCDMB stated that indigenous participation in the sector has grown significantly, rising from less than five per cent in 2010 to about 61 per cent in recent years through initiatives focused on capacity building, local investment, and industry development.
The board highlighted several projects aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s energy sector, including infrastructure development, training programmes for Nigerian professionals, and initiatives designed to create more opportunities for host communities.
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri also described the state as the appropriate location for discussions on Nigeria’s oil history, noting its importance as the birthplace of the country’s petroleum industry.
Other stakeholders at the event called for stronger commitment toward addressing challenges affecting oil-producing communities, protecting the environment, and ensuring that future energy policies promote sustainable development.
Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika of Rivers State University noted that the oil industry has played a major role in shaping Nigeria’s economy and politics but has also contributed to environmental challenges and conflicts in the Niger Delta.
He stressed that environmental protection and justice must remain key priorities as Nigeria plans the future of its energy sector.
