By Ambrose Nnaji

The Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has renewed its pledge to push the Nigerian Content beyond regulatory compliance toward deeper integration of indigenous expertise, enterprise development, and community-driven value creation across the energy value chain.

This commitment was underscored during the Appreciation Night, themed: “Deepening Stakeholders’ Collaboration for Sustainable Economic Development.” The event brought together regulators, executives, and Nigerian Content advocates in recognition of leadership and excellence within the sector.

Speaking at the event, NLNG Deputy Managing Director, Olakunle Osobu, emphasised that the Company’s Nigerian Content vision is built on leadership, impact, and legacy. He noted that NLNG is not merely meeting mandated thresholds but setting transformational benchmarks through strategic investments in local talent, technology, and partnerships.

“Our journey in Nigerian Content is about creating opportunities, not just fulfilling compliance targets. We are building capacity and enabling growth that lasts—driven by strong collaboration with NCDMB and other partners,” Osobu said.

The Nigeria LNG Limited hosted the leadership of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and other key players in the oil and gas industry during its 2025 Nigerian Content Stakeholders’ Retreat in Finima, Bonny Island, Rivers State—reaffirming its commitment to deepening collaboration and advancing indigenous capacity within the nation’s energy ecosystem.

The week-long engagement opened with a community contractor capacity-building session, followed by a movie premiere, a mini-exhibition showcasing Bonny Island vendors, a tour of the ongoing Train 7 facility, and a set of social and sporting activities between NLNG and NCDMB teams. The exhibition created a marketplace for local entrepreneurs to present products and innovations to major industry stakeholders—a deliberate initiative by NLNG to stimulate community commerce and strengthen local enterprise participation in the supply chain.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe—represented by Director of Capacity Building, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele—commended NLNG for sustaining the retreat as an open platform for dialogue, collaboration, and shared industrial progress. He noted that both organisations have successfully implemented joint initiatives such as the Service Level Agreement (SLA), Technical Working Group (TWG), and staff secondment—demonstrating that regulatory authorities and operators can maintain a mutually beneficial partnership.

Ogbe further applauded NLNG’s achievements in the execution of the Train 7 project and its measurable contributions to local economic value, urging the company to continue championing initiatives that further solidify Nigeria’s footprint in the global LNG landscape.

The Lawyers in Energy International Conference (L.E.I.C.A.) 2025 is set to gather Nigeria’s leading voices in law, governance, and business for a high-level dialogue on the future of the energy sector.

Scheduled for October 22, 2025, in Lagos, the conference will run under the theme: “Law, Risk and Reform: Shaping Nigeria’s Energy Sector for Sustainable Prosperity.”

Unlike conventional forums, L.E.I.C.A. 2025 aims to go beyond speeches, focusing on practical strategies, risk frameworks, and actionable insights required to navigate one of the world’s most complex energy markets.

Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Dolapo Kukoyi, emphasised that Nigeria’s energy sector is at a critical crossroads of reform and regulation. “L.E.I.C.A. 2025 will serve as a platform where policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders align on frameworks that not only attract capital but also guarantee transparency, compliance, and long-term stability for the sector. The task before us is to turn policy into practice,” she noted.

From ministers and regulators to CEOs, senior lawyers, financiers, insurers, and policy strategists, participants will deliberate on pressing issues shaping the sector’s future. Discussions will cover how reforms are influencing investment flows, whether governance and compliance can meet global ESG benchmarks, and what risk management models are needed to safeguard capital and operations in today’s volatile energy landscape.

“At a time when investors are weighing risk against opportunity, L.E.I.C.A. 2025 will bring the clarity and confidence they need. By uniting legal minds, financial institutions, and energy operators, the conference will spotlight where real value lies and how reforms can be converted into bankable projects that drive growth and sustainability,” Kukoyi added.

Since its inception, L.E.I.C.A. has been a trusted convening point for the legal and energy communities, bridging the gap between policy aspirations and commercial realities.

The 2025 edition, according to organisers, will spotlight the intersections of regulation, governance, financing, dispute resolution, and economic growth—critical factors that will determine whether Nigeria can unlock the potential of its vast energy resources.

With the global energy transition accelerating and Nigeria’s reforms reshaping its investment climate, L.E.I.C.A. 2025 is expected to deliver not just timely conversations, but urgent and decisive insights that could define the nation’s economic trajectory for the next decade.

The House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations has commended the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) for upholding robust health and safety standards at the Calabar Power Plant in Odukpani, Cross River State.

The commendation followed an on-the-spot inspection of the 565MW facility, where lawmakers noted marked improvements in safety compliance since their last visit in 2018.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. David Idris Zacharias, said the oversight visit was aimed at ensuring that Nigerians work in safe environments and enjoy healthier, longer lives. He praised the staff for maintaining high standards, stressing that the welfare of workers in the power sector is vital to both government and the economy.

“My impression here is positive, and you also heard the same from my honourable colleagues. We always appreciate when we enter an organisation and see that things are done well,” Zacharias said.

He, however, emphasized that the visit was also to identify areas for improvement. “We must observe and highlight areas that require attention. What we are saying here is to encourage them to deepen their commitment to safety. We saw their challenges, which we will take back to the government, and we hope to see progress on our next visit,” he added.

The lawmakers particularly called for enhancements to staff welfare, including improved lighting, better rest areas for shift workers, and adequate seating in offices.

Committee members present included Hon. Harrison Anozie Nwadike, Hon. Suleiman Abubakar Gumi, Hon. Kalejaiye Paul Adeboye, Hon. El-Rasheed Abdullahi, and Hon. Emmanuel Effiong Udo. They were conducted around the plant by the Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Ayoade Olanrewaju Bex, and described the facility as one of the best in terms of safety compliance.

Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the Executive Director, Generation, Engr. Abdullahi Kassim, NDPHC’s General Manager, Generation Projects, Engr. Valerie Agberagba, reaffirmed that safety remains a top priority for the company.

“The visit was very important to us. Comparing the 2018 report to what we have now shows a great improvement in compliance. This proves NDPHC is not taking safety and environmental standards for granted,” she said.

She assured the lawmakers that management has noted the areas highlighted for improvement. “The welfare of our staff is critical. If they are not in good condition to work, we won’t get the best out of them. Those observations will be addressed in the shortest possible time,” Agberagba added.

Acting Head of Health, Safety and Environment at NDPHC, Austin Ijagem, also revealed that the Calabar Power Plant has not recorded any work-related fatalities since operations began.

“The difference between 2018 and now is clear. Many of the safety concerns previously raised have been closed out. We are moving closer to achieving zero pending safety issues at the plant,” Ijagem said.

General Manager, Generation Projects, NDPHC, Engr. Valerie Agberagba, Chairman of the Committee, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, David Idris Zachariah and Chief Operating Officer of the Calabar Power Plant, Engr. Ayoade Olanrewaju Bex at the power plant in Odukpani.