NCDMB Local Content & Metal Fabrication: How Nigerian Companies Can Win More Oil & Gas Contracts

NCDMB local content rules decide who gets oil and gas work in Nigeria, and metal fabricators sit near the front of that line.

Chuzeke Nigeria Limited is a top metal fabrication company in Port Harcourt and across Nigeria. We build pressure vessels, storage tanks and thermal desorption units at our Steel Village yard, so we see these rules from the workshop floor.

This guide shows how Nigerian companies can meet them and win more oil and gas contracts.

What NCDMB Local Content Means for Metal Fabricators

The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010 gave the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) the job of growing in-country capacity. NCDMB says Nigerian content has risen from 5% in 2010 to 61%, and it is working toward a 70% target for 2027. Local content here means the value added to the Nigerian economy when Nigerian people, materials and services do the work.

Fabrication sits at the centre of that push. NCDMB’s then Executive Secretary said in 2017 that about 95% of what the industry needs is fabrication. Operators back this with real contracts. Shell’s 2025 Payments to Governments Report says its Nigerian companies awarded $518 million to 123 indigenous firms.

The NCEC Fabrication Category Explained

Operators ask bidders for a Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (NCEC). NCDMB issues eight categories, and Fabrication and Construction (FC) fits metal fabricators. The NCEC Application Guidance Notes issued in December 2025 set out the rules.

What the FC Category Covers

FC covers modules, subassemblies, metal products, pressure vessels, storage tanks, piles, jackets and bridges. An FC certificate stays valid for two years. Four categories matter most to fabricators:

What NCDMB Checks Before Approval

• Equipment you own. Leased machines do not count, and you must show payment receipts.
• A workshop with CNC machines, plasma cutters, press brakes, rolling machines and overhead cranes.
• A valid NUPRC or NMDPRA permit and an ISO 9001:2015 certificate that covers fabrication.
• An NSITF certificate that matches your declared staff numbers.
• At least 51% Nigerian equity for land and swamp work, shown in your CAC records.
• Recent photos and videos of your real yard.

NCDMB charges no fee for NCEC applications. It bans agents and consultants from filing them.

Winning Oil and Gas Contracts Under NCDMB Local Content Rules

Register on the NOGIC JQS

Tender notices require registration on NCDMB’s Joint Qualification System. Follow the NOGIC JQS service company guide. Email a letter of intent, your CAC certificate, Forms C02 and C07, and your NUPRC or NMDPRA permit to the support desk.

Then complete your company profile, ownership, and staff records.

Match Your NCEC to the Tender Scope

Apply for the categories your yard can support. NCDMB checks assets, staff, and facilities for every category you claim. The 2024 Presidential Directives also bar Nigerian Content Plans that rely on intermediaries without real capacity.

Prepare a Credible Nigerian Content Plan

NLNG’s tender requirements ask bidders for a Nigerian Content Plan, a training plan, and a plan to give Nigerian firms first consideration on work packages. An Aradel tender notice also tells bidders to deduct 1% for the Nigerian Content Development Fund on each subcontract.

Prove Your Track Record

NCDMB asks for evidence of the largest single contract you executed in the last five years. Attach purchase orders and job completion certificates that match the category you apply for.

A new company with no contract history selects “None” and relies on its equipment and staff.

Pass the Facility Visit

NCDMB can inspect your yard and test-run your equipment. Keep machines working, staff on site, and records current. NCDMB aims to approve a complete application within 15 working days.

Mistakes That Cost Fabricators Contracts

Here is why many applications stall:

• Hiring an agent to file the application. NCDMB prohibits it and holds the company liable for every document submitted.
• Listing leased equipment.
• Applying for categories outside your main line of work.
• Uploading stock, AI, or old photos.
• Letting your NUPRC permit expire. It must stay valid for two months after you apply.
• Submitting forged documents. NCDMB treats this as a criminal offence.

Why Operators Choose Port Harcourt Fabricators

Port Harcourt sits beside the Niger Delta fields, so a local yard avoids the customs delays that hold up imported parts. NCDMB local content rules also reward owned equipment and trained staff inside Nigeria, so a working yard counts in your favour on every bid.

Chuzeke holds NUPRC, ISO, and CAC certifications and follows ASME and AWS procedures. We fabricate oil field equipment, and our guide to oil field equipment maintenance in Nigeria shows how we handle sour gas and humidity.

FAQs on NCDMB Local Content and Metal Fabrication

What is an NCEC?

The Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate shows that NCDMB has verified your equipment, staff, and facility in Nigeria. NCDMB issues it in eight categories, and fabricators apply under FC.

Do I need an NCEC to bid for oil and gas fabrication work?

Operator tenders usually list it as mandatory. Both the NLNG and Aradel notices ask for it, together with NOGIC JQS registration.

How long does NCEC approval take?

NCDMB targets approval within 15 working days of a complete application. It returns incomplete files within 5 working days.

Next Steps

Before you bid, run through this short list:

1. Register your company on the NOGIC JQS.
2. Match your equipment, staff, and permits to the FC checklist above.
3. File your NCEC application yourself on NCDMB’s portal.
4. Prepare your Nigerian Content Plan and training plan.

Ready to build to oil and gas standards? Request a quote from Chuzeke Nigeria Limited, or review our custom steel fabrication services.