The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has published the NCEC Application Guidance Notes, a document outlining updated procedures and requirements for obtaining Nigerian Content Equipment Certificates (NCECs) for oil and gas industry contracting, the board said.

The notes took effect in December 2025 and are available on the board’s official website and the NCEC application portal.

The guidance notes form part of initiatives to implement Presidential Directives on Local Content Requirements and to streamline contracting processes by clarifying key obligations for companies seeking to participate in oil and gas industry contracts.

The board said the guidance notes are intended to support timely review and approval of NCEC applications by providing detailed requirements for credible submissions, including documentation and evidence of capacity. It said the document also addresses issues such as:

• Multiple or mismatched applications for certificates that do not reflect actual capacity on the ground.
• Submission of fake or forged documents.

• Under-declaration of personnel, non-existent offices or equipment, and other irregular applications.

The guidance notes list eight categories of NCEC certification, covering areas such as manufacturing and related services, fabrication and construction, services and support, quality control inspection and testing, non-moveable assets, procurement and supplies, and consultancy services.

The board said companies are required to provide specific details of their service offerings and sufficient evidence of their assets, facilities, equipment and personnel when applying for certificates in any of the categories.

The guidance notes specify that NCECs are not transferable. According to the board, companies and their subsidiaries or local partners cannot apply for or obtain separate certificates using the same facilities, equipment, assets or documentation, and certificates cannot be used on behalf of another entity.

The board also clarified that no fees are charged by the NCDMB for the application, processing or approval of NCECs or related certifications, and advised applicants to avoid engaging agents or third parties to submit applications on their behalf.

The document further states that requests for upgrade or additional services on existing certificates will be treated as fresh applications, requiring full verification of all submitted documentation and assets.

The NCDMB said the guidance notes will support efforts to correct abuses of the NCEC application process and reduce delays in contracting, while ensuring that only companies with demonstrable technical capacity receive certification.

The board’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, encouraged stakeholders to study the guidance notes carefully when applying for certificates, and noted that submission of forged, altered or falsified documents could attract legal and administrative sanctions.