By Ken Afor
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), as the Co-Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The appointment, announced Tuesday by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, is part of Tinubu’s “avowed commitment to establish a more efficient, targeted, and consistent approval process” for unique oil and gas projects in the country.
By naming Ekpo, a former member of the House of Representatives from Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika
Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State as Co-Chair of the NCDMB’s governing council, the president seeks to ensure effective oversight of the nation’s gas assets, a critical component of his administration’s efforts to stimulate industrial development, job creation, and sustainable economic growth through the exploitation of Nigeria’s immense gas resources.
“The President remains committed to unlocking Nigeria’s immense gas potential to stimulate industrial development, job creation, and sustainable economic growth,” Ngelale stated in the press release.
The NCDMB is a federal government agency established to develop local capacity for the Nigerian oil and gas industry through the promotion of indigenous skills and resources.
Ekpo’s appointment as Co-Chair is expected to enhance coordination between the ministry and the board, streamlining the approval process for oil and gas projects while ensuring compliance with local content requirements.
Energy experts have long advocated for Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, to prioritize the development of its vast natural gas reserves, which have the potential to diversify the country’s energy mix, attract investment, and drive economic growth.
