PNC 2026: NCDMB, DMG Rally Bàyelsa Govt for Landmark 15th Edition * Akpe Assures Organisers of Support, Security as New Local Content Initiatives Unveiled

By Majesty Inegbagha 

YENAGOA — Preparations for the 2026 Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum have gathered momentum as the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and its partner, DMG Events, reaffirmed their collaboration with the Bayelsa State Government towards a successful hosting of the flagship industry gathering.

L-R Dr. Peter Akpe, Deputy Governor, Bàyelsa State in handshake with Dr.Obinna Ezeobi, General Manager, Corporate Communication Division of NCDMB in Government House  Yenagoa.

The 15th edition of the PNC Forum is scheduled to hold from November 30 to December 3, 2026, at the NCDMB Conference Centre in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The commitment was reaffirmed on Tuesday when a delegation of NCDMB and DMG Events officials met with the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Pereotubo Akpe, at the Government House, Yenagoa.

The meeting was aimed at appreciating the state government for its longstanding partnership in hosting the PNC Forum over the past 15 years, while also seeking its continued support for the 2026 edition.

Leading the delegation, the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division of NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, highlighted the economic significance of the PNC Forum and other NCDMB programmes and activities in Bayelsa State.

Ezeobi conveyed the appreciation of the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, to the state government for its contributions to the success of the PNC, particularly its role in hosting the opening banquet and supporting the Youth PNC programme.

According to him, the Youth PNC provides young people in the Niger Delta with exposure to emerging opportunities in the oil and gas industry, as well as the skills and competencies required to build successful careers in other critical sectors of the economy.

He also disclosed that new initiatives had been introduced for the 2026 edition of the forum to enhance participants' experience and increase the value derived from the gathering.

The Senior Manager, Zonal Coordination, NCDMB, Mr. Adebayo Joseph, further outlined plans for the Youth PNC segment.

On her part, the leader of the DMG Events delegation, Ms. Olamide Oloko, highlighted key activities lined up for the 2026 forum.

She disclosed that the programme would feature a Local Content Roundtable on November 30, as well as a two-day programme for Local Community Contractors (LCCs), designed to strengthen their capacity and enable them to scale up their operations.

Other innovations include a stakeholders' breakout session aimed at generating perspectives that would help shape the direction of Nigerian Content development over the next decade.

The forum will also feature a Townhall Session involving key industry leaders, including the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), and the Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN).

Responding, Deputy Governor Akpe pledged the continued support and collaboration of the Bayelsa State Government towards the successful hosting of the 2026 PNC Forum.

Akpe assured the organisers of adequate security during the event and reaffirmed the state's tradition of hosting the gala dinner, while actively participating in both the main conference and the Youth PNC.

He commended NCDMB for integrating some participants from the 2025 Youth PNC into its capacity-building programmes, describing the initiative as a positive step towards developing the next generation of industry professionals.

The Deputy Governor, however, called for increased participation of senior officials from the oil and gas industry at the welcome gala dinner.

The Practical Nigerian Content Forum, organised annually by NCDMB in partnership with DMG Events, provides a strategic platform for stakeholders to review and track the implementation of Nigerian Content policies and chart new directions for investment and growth in the oil and gas sector.

The 2026 edition is expected to further deepen collaboration among stakeholders, expand local participation and promote greater value retention within Nigeria's oil and gas industry.