NCDMB, Bayelsa Govt Strengthen Partnership Ahead of 2026 Practical Nigerian Content Forum
Yenagoa set for 15th PNC as organisers unveil new programmes targeting local contractors, youths and industry leaders
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with DMG Events, has renewed its collaboration with the Bayelsa State Government ahead of the 15th edition of the **Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum**, scheduled for November 30 to December 3, 2026, in Yenagoa.
The commitment was reaffirmed on Tuesday when a delegation of NCDMB and DMG Events officials met with the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr Peter Pereotubo Akpe, at the Government House, Yenagoa.
The meeting was held to appreciate the State Government for its longstanding support for the PNC Forum over the past 15 years and to seek its continued partnership for this year’s edition, which will take place at the NCDMB Conference Centre, Yenagoa.
Leading the delegation, the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division of NCDMB, Dr Obinna Ezeobi, highlighted the economic importance of the PNC Forum and other NCDMB programmes and initiatives in Bayelsa State.
Ezeobi conveyed the appreciation of the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr Felix Omatsola Ogbe, to the Bayelsa State Government for its sustained support, particularly its role in hosting the opening banquet and supporting the **Youth PNC** initiative.
According to him, the Youth PNC provides young people across the Niger Delta with exposure to emerging opportunities in the oil and gas industry, while equipping them with skills and competencies relevant to careers in other sectors of the economy.
Ezeobi also disclosed that new initiatives had been introduced into the 2026 PNC programme to make the forum more engaging and deliver greater value to participants.
The Senior Manager, Zonal Coordination, NCDMB, Mr Adebayo Joseph, provided further details on plans for the Youth PNC.
Also speaking, the leader of the DMG Events delegation, Ms Olamide Oloko, outlined the major activities planned for the 2026 forum, including a **Local Content Roundtable** scheduled for November 30 and a two-day programme dedicated to **Local Community Contractors (LCCs)**.
She said the LCC programme was designed to help local contractors strengthen their capacity and scale their operations.
Other new initiatives include a stakeholder breakout session aimed at generating ideas that could influence the direction of Nigerian Content development over the next decade.
The forum will also feature a high-level **Townhall Session** involving key industry stakeholders, including the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) and the Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN).
Responding, Deputy Governor Akpe assured the NCDMB and DMG Events delegation of the Bayelsa State Government’s continued support for the PNC Forum.
He pledged adequate security for participants and reaffirmed the State’s commitment to hosting the gala dinner while actively participating in the main conference and Youth PNC.
Akpe also commended NCDMB for integrating some participants from the 2025 Youth PNC into its capacity-building programmes.
However, he called for greater participation by senior executives from the oil and gas industry at the welcome gala dinner, stressing the importance of ensuring stronger engagement between industry leaders and other participants.
The **Practical Nigerian Content Forum**, organised annually by NCDMB and DMG Events, remains a major platform for reviewing the implementation of Nigerian Content policies, identifying emerging opportunities and shaping strategies for increased local participation in the oil and gas industry.
The 2026 edition is expected to deepen collaboration among government, industry players and local businesses while promoting investment, capacity development and greater value retention within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
