Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is preparing for a major conversation on the future of local content as the 15th Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum is scheduled to take place in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, from November 30 to December 3, 2026.
The event, organised by dmg Nigeria Events in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), is expected to bring together government officials, regulators, oil and gas operators, indigenous companies, financiers and other industry stakeholders.
The 2026 forum will be held under the theme “Defining Strategic Priorities for the Next Decade of Nigerian Content Implementation.” Its focus comes as Nigeria approaches the end of the current Nigerian Content Strategic Roadmap, which covers 2017 to 2027.
Focus shifts to the next phase
According to information released ahead of the forum, Nigerian Content has reached 61 per cent under the existing roadmap, with the country working towards a 70 per cent target.
The progress has increased attention on what needs to be done to strengthen indigenous participation after 2027, particularly as investment in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas industry continues to develop.
Major projects, including Shell’s $2 billion HI Field and the $5 billion Bonga North development, are among the investments expected to create opportunities across the domestic energy supply chain. Indigenous operators are also becoming more prominent following the transfer of assets previously held by international oil companies.
The organisers say the next stage will require stakeholders to look beyond measuring existing achievements and concentrate on financing, industrial capacity, project delivery and regulatory frameworks.
Four major areas on the agenda
The PNC Forum 2026 will concentrate on four broad areas that are considered important to the future of Nigerian Content.
Mobilising capital will examine how indigenous businesses can gain better access to affordable financing. Discussions are expected to cover financial partnerships and alternative funding models that could enable Nigerian companies to expand and handle increasingly complex projects.
Project opportunities will focus on how local companies can gain greater access to business opportunities emerging across the energy value chain. Stakeholders are expected to examine procurement strategies, supplier development and cooperation between operators, contractors and indigenous firms.
The third area, advancing Nigerian Content, will look at the priorities that could shape the next strategic roadmap. This includes addressing capacity gaps, improving competitiveness and using local participation to support wider industrial development.
The final area, policy and legislation, will examine how Nigeria’s regulatory framework can respond to changing market conditions, new technologies and evolving investor expectations while maintaining local participation and supporting investment.
Forum designed for practical discussions
The organisers have planned several formats intended to move discussions beyond presentations and towards concrete industry engagement.
Strategic leadership panels will bring senior government and business figures together to discuss investment, policy and partnerships. Executive debates will provide a platform for industry leaders to examine major challenges from different perspectives.
A town hall session will allow participants to interact directly with government and regulators, while breakout sessions will concentrate on specific industry issues.
The event will also include a showcase arena, site visit, networking activities and gala events, giving companies opportunities to display their capabilities and develop business relationships.
Among the announced participants are NCDMB Executive Secretary Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Shell Nigeria’s Country Chair Elohor Aiboni, TotalEnergies Nigeria’s Country Chairman Matthieu Bouyer, Chevron Nigeria Mid-Africa Business Unit Chairman Jim Swartz, ExxonMobil Affiliates in Nigeria Chairman Jagir Baxi and PETAN Chairman Wole Ogunsanya.
Looking beyond 2027
The forum arrives at a significant point in Nigeria’s local-content programme, with stakeholders preparing for the period after the current roadmap expires.
Over the years, the PNC Forum has provided a platform for government, regulators, international operators, indigenous businesses and service companies to discuss the development of local capacity in Nigeria’s energy industry.
The 2026 edition is therefore expected to focus heavily on how the gains recorded so far can be maintained while creating more opportunities for Nigerian companies.
With the country seeking greater investment, stronger indigenous capacity and increased participation across the energy value chain, discussions at the Yenagoa forum are expected to help identify priorities for the next stage of Nigerian Content implementation.
