Yenagoa, Nigeria – The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board NCDMB, in partnership with Sweetcrude Limited, has announced detailed eligibility criteria for the inaugural Champions of Nigerian Content Awards, designed to honour outstanding contributions to local content development in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Scheduled for May 21, 2025, at the NCDMB Conference Hall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the awards will recognise individuals and organisations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing Nigerian Content in 2024. The ceremony will coincide with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair NOGOF, further spotlighting industry excellence and contributions to national economic transformation.

The Awards, made up of 12 categories includeNigerian Content Icon of the Year, Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award, Nigerian Content International Upstream Operator of the Year, Nigerian Content Independent Upstream Operator of the Year, Nigerian Content Midstream Operator of the Year, Nigerian Content Downstream Operator of the Year and the Nigerian Content International Service Company of the Year.

Others include Nigerian Content Indigenous Service Company of the Year. Nigerian Content Innovator of the Year, Nigerian Content Financial Services Provider of the Year, Nigerian Content Media Organisation of the Year and Women in Leadership Award for Promoting Gender Equality and Empowerment.

According to the NCDMB, the criteria for oil and gas operators will include key and empirical benchmarks, especially; production, output (crude oil and gas volumes).
Compliance with Nigerian Content Plans (NCPs) and Nigerian Content Compliance Certificates (NCCCs), Adherence to NOGICD Act reporting requirements, such as submission of Nigerian Content Performance Reports and Employment & Training Plans.

It was gathered that similar criteria will apply to financial institutions, media organisations, and individuals, ensuring a transparent and merit-based selection process. Business and Transport Media checks further revealed that winners for the Nigerian Content Icon of the Year, Innovator of the Year, and Women in Leadership Award will also be selected based on measurable performance indicators.

The NCDMB has also assured that the Advisory Committee made up of industry titans have been selected to oversee process
as part of measures to uphold the awards’ prestige. The Advisory Committee of distinguished experts, who have been set up to oversee nominations and validate winners include: Pioneer Executive Secretary of the NCDMB,
Dr. Ernest Nwapa, Secretary General, African Petroleum Producers Organisation, Dr. Omar Farouk
and  former zonal operations controller of the Directorate of Petroleum Resources DPR,.Mr. Wole Akinyosoye.

Speaking on the inaugural awards, Executive Secretary/CEO of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, emphasised that the awards aim to become the oil and gas sector’s equivalent of the Oscars, celebrating genuine impact rather than mere participation.

“This recognition is reserved for those who have gone beyond compliance to drive tangible growth in Nigerian Content. With a focus on credibility, compliance, and measurable impact, the Champions of Nigerian Content Awards is poised to set a new standard for excellence in Nigeria’s energy sector”, he stated.