The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has firmly denied recent allegations of financial misconduct leveled against its leadership, labeling the claims as “false, malicious, and misleading.” The rebuttal comes in response to reports circulating in certain media outlets, which accused the agency, under Executive Secretary Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, of misappropriating funds, including an alleged N7.7 billion spent on consultancy services and over N580 million for a five-day training workshop in London.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, by the NCDMB’s Head of Corporate Communications, Esueme D. Kikile, the agency dismissed the accusations as baseless and aimed at tarnishing its reputation. “The NCDMB categorically refutes these false claims. Neither the Board nor the Executive Secretary authorized the expenditures as alleged,” the statement read. It emphasized that all financial transactions adhere strictly to government regulations and procurement guidelines, overseen by relevant authorities.
Highlighting its track record, the NCDMB pointed to its consistent recognition for transparency and accountability. The agency has ranked first for three consecutive years in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Compliance Report for Ease of Doing Business among government agencies. It also received the Nigeria Govtech Award and the Distinguished Govtech Trailblazers Award from the Bureau for Public Sector Reform (BPSR) for excellence in digital governance and innovation.
The NCDMB clarified that its activities, including stakeholder workshops like the one referenced in the allegations, align with its 10-Year Strategic Roadmap, launched in 2017. This roadmap aims to retain 70% of oil and gas industry spending in-country by 2027, with initiatives like the London training forming part of its stakeholder collaboration efforts. “Due process was followed in all financial expenditures, and no such misappropriation of N7.7 billion occurred,” the agency insisted.
Engr. Ogbe, appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in December 2023, has reiterated his commitment to advancing the NCDMB’s mandate of building local capacity and empowering Nigerians in the oil and gas sector. The agency stressed that these allegations would not derail its focus on supporting the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes job creation and economic diversification.
The statement also called on the public and media to verify information with its accessible corporate communications team before publishing, lamenting the failure of some outlets to seek clarification. “This appears to be a deliberate attempt to smear the reputation of the Executive Secretary and the organization,” it noted.
For now, the NCDMB maintains that it remains undeterred, vowing to uphold integrity and transparency as it drives Nigeria’s oil and gas industry forward. The unfolding saga leaves observers watching closely to see if further action will be taken—or if the matter will fade amid the agency’s staunch defense.
