NCDMB launches Marine, Offshore Centre to grow blue economy

From Tony John, Port Harcourt

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched the Centre for Marine and Offshore Technology Development (CMOTD) to train Nigerian engineers to grow the blue economy.

Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, performed the official launch of the Centre, which is located at the complex of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

Engr. Ogbe, who expressed satisfaction with the centre, said the board was established to promote the growth of Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry and is also responsible for implementing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, which aims to increase local participation in the sector.

According to him, the Centre for Marine and Offshore Technology Development (CMOTD) has formed a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to promote the growth and adoption of marine and offshore technologies, research, and training under the NOGICD Act.

The NCDMB, through its various units and initiatives, collaborates with CMOTD to ensure that Nigerian Content principles are implemented and advanced in the marine and offshore technology sector.

Vice Chancellor of RSU, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, conducted the NCDMB Executive Secretary, Engr. Ogbe, and his team round the major facilities of the institution.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer/Secretary, CMOTD, Engr. Vitalis Ahiakwo, said the centre is dedicated to training and developing personnel for the marine and offshore industries.

He said programmes offered by the centre are designed to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge needed for the offshore oil and gas sector and related fields.

According to him, with the “Back to Creek, Forward with Skills!” initiative of the NCDMB, “CMOTD is strengthening Nigeria’s future through research and training in oil, gas, marine, and offshore infrastructure. It addresses Nigeria’s national technical capacity gap in marine, offshore, and energy infrastructure with inclusive, practical, high-impact professional training.”

The Chairman, Management Board of CMOTD, Engr. Eferebo Sylvanus, said the board realised the critical need for the gap in the marine sector to be closed by subsidising the cost for the programmes.

Sylvanus, who is also the National Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects, said: “However, in the interim, local content has stepped in to be able to subsidise for people to participate. So, the pioneer students, the flagship students we have here are from the board.

“The board has realised this critical need for the gap in this sector to be closed. After now, we can then announce our official cost. But, the good thing is, the international certification, the software licences, the partnerships, all these costs are being subsidised because of the intervention of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board under the policy of the new Executive Secretary and this back-to-creek project.”

Currently, the centre has a total of 305 students across various programmes.

The programmes include, but are not limited to, Practical Ship Design & Construction (with AVEVA Marine), Subsea Design & Offshore Structures, Oil Well Optimisation, Big Data Analytics for Energy Systems, Floating Systems, ROVs, and Simulation Labs, as well as Customised Technical Short Courses for all levels.

The centre welcomes university graduates from any field, polytechnic students, technical institute graduates, and non-degree holders (in select courses). It is also open to young professionals, upskilling workers, and all Nigerians nationwide.