Shell Reaffirms Commitment to Nigerian Companies
Shell has reaffirmed its commitment to growing Nigerian companies by awarding contracts and enhancing local expertise. In addition, the company aims to foster collaboration within the industry.
Participation in the Practical Nigerian Content Forum
Shell Companies in Nigeria are joining over 700 oil and gas entities at the 13th Practical Nigerian Content forum in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Specifically, this four-day conference, themed “Deepening the Next Frontier for Nigerian Content Implementation,” allows the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and participant companies to assess their progress with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Development (NOGICD) Act from 2010.
Significant Contract Awards
At the forum, Shell announced it awarded contracts totaling $1.98 billion in 2023 to support Nigerian content in the oil and gas sector. Notably, this amount represents a three percent increase from the 2022 total of $1.92 billion.
Insights from Shell Leadership
Olaposi Fadahunsi, Business Opportunity Manager for SNEPCo’s Bonga South-West Aparo Project, spoke on behalf of Managing Director Ron Adams. He emphasized that many beneficiary companies have used this support to grow their operations, enhance their expertise, and improve their finances.
“Shell companies conduct a significant portion of their operations through contracts with third parties. Consequently, Nigeria-registered firms greatly benefit from this approach, which advances Nigeria’s development,” Fadahunsi stated. Moreover, he praised the NCDMB for ensuring compliance with the Nigerian Content Act.
Human Capital Development Initiatives
Additionally, Shell has undertaken projects as part of its Human Capital Development Fund. This includes establishing a learning center and digital library at Niger Delta University, as well as an Information Technology Hub at the Federal University of Technology. Both projects were inaugurated this year with SPDC Joint Venture partners, including Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), TotalEnergies, and Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC).
Ongoing Educational Initiatives
Furthermore, other initiatives include the Geosciences Centre of Excellence at the University of Lagos, the Nigeria Diving School, and funding ongoing research at the University of Ibadan for synthetic-based drilling fluid development.
Since 2016, Shell Companies in Nigeria have focused on developing local talent through scholarship programs. To date, they have granted over 3,772 undergraduate and 109 postgraduate scholarships to students from the Niger Delta.
Fadahunsi added, “Currently, beneficiaries of the latest Niger Delta Post Graduate Scholarship awards study in the United Kingdom. Notably, the employability rate for this program is impressive, with over 98% of graduates securing jobs in the oil and gas industry, academia, and the IT sector within a year of graduation. In conclusion, Nigerian content will remain a crucial aspect of Shell’s operations.
