By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reminded operators, contractors and service companies in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector that the remittance of the one per cent Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) levy remains mandatory under the law.
This was disclosed by the Board on Wednesday,17 February, 2026 in a statement issued at the Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, explained that the NCDF was established under Section 104 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, as a dedicated fund for the development of Nigerian content in the industry.
Ogbe emphasised that all entities covered by the Act are required to remit one per cent of the value of every upstream contract.
He further noted that the Board retains exclusive authority for the management and administration of the fund.
He stated, “Funds generated under the NCDF are deployed to support indigenous oil and gas contractors and service companies, to finance capacity development and training in the industry, to enable access to affordable finance for indigenous participation, and to drive sustainable growth across the oil and gas value chain.”
Furthermore, the Executive Secretary clarified the statutory status of the fund, stressing that it is not classified as Federal Government revenue.
“The NCDF is a ring-fenced statutory development fund created by a specific Act of the National Assembly; it is not classified as Federal Government revenue payable into the Consolidated Revenue Fund and its collection and administration are expressly governed by Section 104 of the NOGICD Act,” Ogbe said.
He consequently warned that all remittances must be made strictly into bank accounts officially designated by the NCDMB, noting that payments made outside those channels would be deemed invalid.
“All remittances of the one per cent NCDF levy must be made strictly into the accounts officially designated by the NCDMB. Any remittance made outside the accounts formally designated by the NCDMB shall not be recognised as valid payment of the one per cent NCDF levy under the Act. Companies must ensure strict compliance and seek clarification from the Board where necessary prior to effecting any remittance,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Board announced that obtaining the Nigerian Content Development Fund Compliance Certificate (NCFCC) has become a key requirement for accessing its regulatory services and approvals.
The certificate, according to the NCDMB, confirms a company’s full compliance with its statutory obligation to remit the NCDF levy.
Accordingly, the Board stated that companies without a valid NCDF Compliance Certificate would be denied access to regulatory documents, certifications, approvals and clearances. These include the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (NCEC), approvals and clearances for projects and contracts, as well as other regulatory documents issued by the agency.
In view of this, the NCDMB advised stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to regularise their NCDF remittance status and apply promptly for the certificate to avoid disruptions to their operations.
Providing further clarification, the Board disclosed that the application process is fully digital and accessible through its online portal.
“The process of obtaining the NCFCC is fully digital and accessible via the NCDMB online portal. All eligible companies are to submit relevant contracts and remittance information, upload evidence of NCDF payments, complete verification and compliance review, and obtain the Compliance Certificate upon confirmation,” the Board stated.
It added that the certificate serves as a validation of a company’s regulatory standing and promotes accountability within the sector.
“Obtaining the NCDF Compliance Certificate matters because it is a validation of a company’s standing with the Board, and serves as a mechanism for promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable Nigerian content development,” the statement added.
