Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
In a major boost for Africa’s oil and gas industry, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has been appointed to the Executive Board of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO).
The appointment, announced via a letter from Mrs. Philomena Ikoko, APPO’s Director of Support Services, on behalf of Secretary General Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, was facilitated by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) and NCDMB Governing Council Chairman.
Dr. Ibrahim praised Ogbe’s expertise, stating, “Your leadership is critical at this pivotal moment for Africa’s energy sector. APPO is committed to supporting your success.” As Nigeria’s representative on the 18-member board, Ogbe will drive policies to enhance local participation, secure funding, and reduce reliance on foreign financiers, collaborating with key oil-producing nations like Angola, Algeria, and Libya.
Ogbe’s leadership at NCDMB has positioned the agency as a leader in local content development. The African Local Content Roundtable (ALCR), a flagship initiative, has fostered collaboration among African nations, with Nigeria’s local content framework serving as a model for countries like Ghana and Senegal.
The ALCR has driven dialogue on policies that prioritize indigenous involvement in the oil and gas sector.
A key achievement under Ogbe is the Africa Energy Bank, set to launch in Abuja by June 2025. With Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana contributing 44% of its startup capital, the bank will fund major oil and gas projects, addressing funding gaps that have hindered Africa’s energy growth.
“This bank will empower African nations to control their energy future,” Ogbe told reporters, highlighting its role in supporting exploration, production, and infrastructure.
Industry insiders are optimistic, with one NCDMB official calling Ogbe’s appointment a “game-changer.” His role on the APPO board is expected to amplify Nigeria’s influence and accelerate Africa’s push for energy independence, positioning the continent as a global energy powerhouse
