Energy analyst Olabode Sowunmi has clarified that Nigeria local content policy oil is meant to strengthen indigenous capacity without excluding foreign operators. Speaking on Arise News, he addressed reactions to comments by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources at the 2026 Niger International Energy Summit.
Sowunmi explained that collaboration is standard practice in the global oil and gas industry, especially for complex offshore EPC projects. Even international oil majors subcontract specialised tasks to expert service companies, making partnerships necessary rather than optional.
He noted that the Nigerian Content Act supports local firms with financing and frameworks to grow competitiveness, not to isolate the sector. According to him, claims that Nigerian companies lack capacity often ignore how the industry actually works.
While admitting there are gaps in implementation, Sowunmi argued that the solution is refinement, not rejection. He added that Nigerian professionals have successfully handled offshore projects and that Nigeria leads many African peers in oil and gas expertise.
In his view, Nigeria local content policy oil aims to build strong domestic firms that work alongside foreign operators, ensuring efficiency, competitiveness, and long-term sector growth.
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