Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said Nigeria’s oil and gas local content reforms were influenced by China’s progress in building strong indigenous capacity in its petroleum sector. His remarks link Nigeria’s policy direction to an international example of how local expertise and domestic participation can be expanded in a strategic industry.
At the center of that reform drive is the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010, widely known as the NOGICD Act. Jonathan’s comments suggest the law was part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on foreign players and strengthen the role of Nigerian companies and professionals across the oil and gas value chain.
The former president’s position highlights a long-running policy goal in Nigeria: keeping more industry value within the country by promoting local skills, services and manufacturing. By pointing to China’s experience, he framed local content reform as a practical development strategy rather than only a regulatory measure.
His statement also adds context to ongoing discussions about energy sector growth, industrial capacity and economic self-reliance. In Nigeria, local content policies remain closely tied to hopes of creating jobs, deepening technical know-how and ensuring the oil industry delivers broader benefits to the domestic economy.
