By Oyintokoni Joel, Yenagoa
As preparations intensify for the 2026 edition of the Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum, scheduled for November 30 to December 3, 2026, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and its partner, DMG Events, have strengthened their long-standing collaboration with the Bayelsa State Government to ensure seamless hosting of the flagship industry gathering.
This commitment was underscored on Tuesday during a strategic engagement between officials of the NCDMB and DMG Events with the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Pereotubo Akpe, at the Government House in Yenagoa.
The meeting was convened to appreciate the State Government for its partnership in convening the PNC over the past 15 years and to solicit continued support for the 15th edition, which will hold at the NCDMB Conference Centre, Yenagoa.
Leading the delegation, the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division, NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, highlighted the economic impact of the PNC Forum as well as other activities and programmes of the Board in Bayelsa State.
He conveyed the appreciation of the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, to the Bayelsa State Government for its significant contributions to the PNC, particularly in hosting the opening banquet and supporting the Youth PNC segment, which exposes young people in the Niger Delta to emerging opportunities in the oil and gas industry and core competencies for successful careers in other key sectors of the economy.
Dr. Ezeobi also unveiled new initiatives introduced for the 2026 PNC Forum, designed to invigorate the conference and enhance value for participants, while the Senior Manager, Zonal Coordination, NCDMB, Mr. Adebayo Joseph, spoke on plans for the Youth PNC.
The leader of the DMG team, Ms. Olamide Oloko, outlined the main PNC programme and new ideas such as the Local Content Roundtable for November 30 and the two-day programme for Local Community Contractors (LCCs) to help scale their operations.
Other innovative initiatives for this year’s PNC include a breakout session designed to gather stakeholders’ perspectives that will shape the trajectory of Nigerian Content over the next decade, and a Town Hall Session with key industry leaders, including the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, the Group CEO of NNPC Ltd, the Chief Executive of NUPRC, the Chairman of OPTS and the Chairman of PETAN.
In his response, Deputy Governor Akpe pledged Bayelsa State’s continued collaboration, assuring the delegation of adequate security and reaffirming the State’s tradition of hosting the gala dinner and actively participating in the main conference as well as the Youth PNC.
He commended NCDMB for integrating some participants from the 2025 edition of the Youth PNC into its capacity-building programmes and called for increased participation of senior oil and gas industry officials in the welcome gala dinner.
The Practical Nigerian Content Forum, hosted annually by NCDMB and DMG Events, serves as a strategic platform to review and track local content implementation and chart new directions for investment and growth in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The 2026 edition is expected to deepen collaboration, strengthen local participation and enhance value retention across the sector.
