General
1% Nigerian Content Levy Remittance Still Mandatory—NCDMB
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reiterated that operators, contractors, and service companies in the upstream sector of their mandatory obligation to remit one per cent (1 per cent) Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) levy into the bank accounts officially designated by the board.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the General Manager of the Corporate Communications Division, Mr Obinna Ezeobi, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Felix Omatsola Ogbe, explained that the NCDF is 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 oil and gas industry.
He reiterated that covered entities are bound to remit one per cent of the value of every upstream contract, adding that NCDMB is vested with the exclusive authority for the management and administration of the fund.
According to him, 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.
Mr Ogbe clarified further that “the NCDF is a ring-fenced statutory development fund created by a specific Act of the National Assembly,” adding that 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.”
He stressed that all remittances of the levy must be made strictly into the accounts officially designated by the NCDMB, pointing out that “any remittance made outside the accounts formally designated by the NCDMB “shall not be recognised as a valid payment of the one per cent (1%) NCDF Levy under the Act.”
He urged companies to ensure strict compliance and to seek clarification from the Board where necessary prior to effecting any remittance.
The Executive Secretary assured industry stakeholders that the Board remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the effective utilisation of the Fund for the growth and sustainability of Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.
“Furthermore, the NCDMB has announced that obtaining the Nigerian Content Development Fund Compliance Certificate (NCFCC) has become a key requirement for accessing the Board’s regulatory services and approvals.
“The NCDF Compliance Certificate is issued to companies to confirm their full compliance with statutory obligation to remit one per cent (1%) of the value of every contract awarded in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry,” the statement added.
The Board stated that “without a valid NCDF Compliance Certificate, access to regulatory documents, certifications, approvals, and clearances issued by NCDMB shall not be granted.”
It added that some of these include Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (NCEC), approvals and clearances for projects and contracts, and other regulatory documents issued by the Board.
The agency advised oil and gas industry stakeholders to regularise their NCDF remittance status, apply promptly for the document and ensure continuous compliance to avoid disruptions to operational schedules.
The board said the process of obtaining the NCFCC is fully digital and accessible via the NCDMB online portal. It advised all eligible companies to submit relevant contract and remittance information, upload evidence of NCDF payments, complete verification and compliance review, and obtain the Compliance Certificate upon confirmation.
According to NCDMB, 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.
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has approved the postings of 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners to various countries and the United Nations, including the former head of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Lateef Kayode Are, who is to serve in the United States.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed on Friday that 31 non-career and 34 career ambassadors have been assigned to their duty posts.
The Senate had confirmed all 65 nominees in December 2025 following screening by the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been directed to immediately commence an induction programme for the envoys, who will assume duties after receiving agrément from their host countries.
Below is the full list of postings:
NON-CAREER AMBASSADORS
1. Senator Grace Bent — Togo (Lomé)
2. Senator Ita Enang — South Africa
3. Ikpeazu Victor — Spain
4. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu — Israel (Tel Aviv)
5. Mahmud Yakubu — Qatar
6. Paul Oga Adikwu — Vatican City Holy See
7. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas — Philippines
8. Reno Omokri — Mexico
9. Engr. Abasi Braimah — Hungary (Budapest)
10. Mrs Erelu Angela Adebayo — Portugal
11. Barr. Oluwayimika Ayotunwa — Japan (Tokyo)
12. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi — Greece (Athens)
13. Barr. Chioma Priscilla Ohakim — Poland (Warsaw)
14. Aminu Dalhatu — United Kingdom (High Commissioner)
15. Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau — China (Beijing)
16. Tasiu Musa Maigari — Gambia
17. Olufemi Pedro — Australia
18. Barr. Muhammed Ubandoma Aliyu — Argentina
19. Lateef Kayode Are — United States
20. Amb. Joseph Sola Iji — Russia
21. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim — United Nations (Permanent Representative)
22. Femi Fani-Kayode — Germany
23. Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole — Canada (Ottawa)
24. Fatima Florence Ajimobi — Austria
25. Mrs Lola Akande — Sweden
26. Ayodele Oke — France
27. Yakubu N. Gambo — Saudi Arabia
28. Senator Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut — South Korea (Seoul)
29. Barr. Joe-Kyari Okocha, SAN — Ireland (Dublin)
30. Dr Kulu Haruna Abubakar — Tunisia (Tunis)
31. Hon. Jerry Samuel Manwe — Trinidad and Tobago (Port of Spain)
CAREER AMBASSADORS
32. Ambassador Nwabiola Ezenwa Chukwumeka — Côte d’Ivoire
33. Besto Maimuna Ibrahim — Niger (Niamey)
34. Monica Okwuchukwu Enebechi — São Tomé and Príncipe
35. Ambassador Mohammed Mahmud Lele — Algeria (Algiers)
36. Endoni Syndoph Paebi — Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou)
37. Ahmed Mohammed Monguno — Egypt (Cairo)
38. Ambassador Jane Adams — Jamaica (Kingston)
39. Ambassador Clark-Omeru Alexandra — Zambia (Lusaka)
40. Chima Geoffrey Lioma David — Mali (Bamako)
41. Ambassador Odumah Yvonne Ehinosen — Equatorial Guinea (Malabo)
42. Ambassador Wasa Segun Ige — Lebanon (Beirut)
43. Ruben Abimbola Samuel — Italy (Rome)
44. Ambassador Onaga Ogechukwu Kingsley — Mozambique (Maputo)
45. Ambassador Magaji Umar — DR Congo (Kinshasa)
46. Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru — India (New Delhi)
47. Ambassador Abdussalam Habu Zayyad — Senegal (Dakar)
48. Ambassador Shehu Ilu Barde — Ghana (Accra)
49. Ambassador Aminu Nasir — Ethiopia
50. Abubakar Musa — Chad (N’Djamena)
51. Ambassador Haidara Mohammed Idris — Netherlands (The Hague)
52. Ambassador Bako Adamu Umar — Morocco (Rabat)
53. Ambassador Sulu Gambari Olatunji Ahmed — Malaysia
54. Ambassador Romata Mohammed Omobolanle — Tanzania
55. Ambassador Shaga John Shamah — Botswana
56. Hamza Mohammed Salau — Iran (Tehran)
57. Ambassador Ibrahim Danlami — Kenya
58. Ibrahim Adeola Mopelola — Benin (Cotonou)
59. Ambassador Ayeni Adebayo Emmanuel — Belgium (Brussels)
60. Ambassador Akande Wahab Adekola — Switzerland (Berne)
61. Ambassador Arewa Esther — Namibia (Windhoek)
62. Ambassador Gergadi Joseph John — Gabon (Libreville)
63. Ambassador Luther Ogbomode Ayo-Kalata — Sierra Leone
64. Danladi Yakubu Nyaku — Sudan (Khartoum)
65. Bello Dogon-Daji Haliru — Thailand (Bangkok)
Mr Onanuga noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received agrément from the United Kingdom for High Commissioner-designate Aminu Dalhatu, and from France for Ambassador Ayodele Oke.
Nominations of the remaining 62 envoys have been conveyed to their respective host countries pending agreement.
General
In Celebration of International Women’s Month, CANAL+ and MultiChoice Celebrate African Women
Across Africa and beyond, women continue to shape and elevate the stories that define our societies. In celebration of International Women’s Month, CANAL+ pays tribute to the storytellers, athletes, mothers, creators, leaders and icons whose voices inspire millions of households across the continent.
The African entertainment industry is driven by women, actresses, directors, screenwriters and producers who bring depth and authenticity to every production. From captivating telenovelas and popular comedies to powerful drama series, female talent remains at the heart of the stories most loved by viewers on CANAL+ Group of channels. In sport, women redefine competition and excellence – on the field, behind the mic or in leadership. From football to tennis and athletics, women in sport don’t just participate, they elevate the game and inspire the next generation.
CANAL+ and its subsidiary MultiChoice have chosen to celebrate them through a dedicated campaign: “We are… because she is.” A 90-second spot, produced in both French and English versions, will be broadcast on the Group’s channels and social media platforms in more than 35 countries across Africa.
Watch the promo below
Throughout International Women’s Month, DStv and GOtv will spotlight female‑led films, series, reality shows and global cultural moments that reflect the brilliance and complexity of modern womanhood.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to adopt a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure to detect meter bypass, tampering and other electricity theft.
The directive was contained in Order No. NERC/2014/148, published on the commission’s website in Abuja on Thursday. It outlines investigative and enforcement procedures DisCos must follow when suspicious electricity consumption patterns or billing irregularities are detected.
According to the commission, distribution companies must interview witnesses, residents or local authorities and properly document all interviews conducted.
“DisCos shall interview witnesses, residents, or local authorities to gather information on unauthorised access or suspicious activities and document all interviews conducted,” the order stated.
NERC also directed companies to employ advanced technologies, including advanced metering infrastructure, data analytics and monitoring systems, to detect abnormal consumption patterns. The commission said distribution companies must ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements during inspections and evidence gathering.
According to the regulator, the procedure aims to strengthen oversight in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and protect infrastructure from losses caused by unauthorised network access.
“Distribution companies are required to first identify locations where electricity theft may be occurring by analysing consumption data, billing discrepancies and unusual indicators,” it said.
The order explained that flagged locations must undergo detailed reviews of electricity usage records to determine possible meter manipulation or illegal connections.
“The SOP also mandates surveillance and monitoring activities in suspected locations to gather additional evidence. “These may include field observations and tracking unusual activities that could indicate unlawful access to electricity infrastructure,” it said.
The directive also requires physical inspections of electricity meters in affected areas to detect tampering, illegal bypasses or unauthorised alterations. Where meters are suspected to be compromised, integrity tests must be conducted and documented through photographs and video recordings in the customer’s presence.
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