How Dorman Long powers Nigeria’s local content drive
The need for local content has become a critical focus across industries today, and for good reason. Its importance has evolved from a regulatory requirement into a vital strategy for sustainable economic growth.
At its core, fostering local content enables companies to leverage the talents and resources within the country, providing opportunities for young Nigerians, businesses, and institutions to develop essential skills and expertise.
Globally, countries like Brazil, Indonesia, and Malaysia have witnessed a resurgence in strategic sectors such as oil and gas, mining, and manufacturing, propelled by robust local content policies.
These policies have empowered domestic firms to participate meaningfully in global value chains while fostering skills development and technological advancement.
Read also: Nigeria must lead Africa through local content — Lokpobiri
Nigeria stands at a similar crossroads. Historically, the country’s industrial landscape—especially in sectors like construction, oil and gas, and manufacturing—has been heavily reliant on foreign companies and imported materials.
Despite the country’s vast human and natural resources, local content has struggled to reach its full potential. Firms like Shell, Chevron, and ExxonMobil directed the pace of exploration, production, and export, controlling over 90 percent of the country’s oil reserves.
The enactment of Nigeria’s Local Content Act in 2010 marked a turning point, mandating increased participation of local businesses and professionals in the energy sector.
This shift unfolds amid pressing national challenges. With a population exceeding 230 million and a stubbornly high youth unemployment rate, Nigeria’s economic future depends on scalable, sustainable job creation. Local content development, particularly in capital-intensive sectors like energy and engineering, plays a vital role in this journey.
Leading the way
According to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), local content in the Nigerian oil and gas industry has surged from just five percent in 2010 to an impressive 56 percent in 2023.
This increase has created over 50,000 direct jobs and retained more than $8 billion annually within Nigeria’s economy. Leading this transformation is Dorman Long Engineering, Nigeria’s leading infrastructure and supply chain services company, providing high-quality solutions to the oil and gas, power, telecommunications, and manufacturing industries.
Since its founding in 1949, the company has consistently invested in human capital development and forged strategic partnerships to nurture homegrown talent, bridge the skills gap, and advance professional consultancy capabilities within Nigeria’s engineering sector.
Read also: Nigeria retains 56% of oil industry spend as local content deepens
In alignment with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, Dorman Long Engineering has launched multiple initiatives to strengthen local capacity and empower communities.
One standout example is the 12-month training program initiated in August 2021, which equipped 40 youths from the Assa North and Ohaji/Egbema communities in Imo State with skills across professional and vocational disciplines. The comprehensive curriculum covered welding, fitting, scaffolding, rigging, electrical installations, and project management.
Beyond technical training, this program sought to foster sustainable livelihoods and stimulate community development, reinforcing Dorman Long’s commitment to social impact alongside industrial growth.
Furthering its commitment to local content promotion and the domiciliation of the full range of engineering works and services in Nigeria, the company signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in March 2025.
Key components of the MoU include structured training programs for NSE student members, as well as a one-year graduate training program with stipends for fresh engineering graduates.
Additionally, in 2017, Dorman Long facilitated the graduation of 83 beneficiaries from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Human Capacity Development Initiative Training, focusing on welding techniques and health, safety, and environment management.
Dorman Long’s dedication to technology transfer is exemplified by its involvement in the construction of the Madu Conductor Supported Platform (CSP), a 20,000 barrels per day oil drilling platform.
This project, executed in collaboration with NNPC and FIRST Exploration, utilised predominantly locally sourced materials and was fabricated at the Nigerian Naval Dockyard. The platform’s development underscores Nigeria’s potential to not only meet domestic energy needs but also position itself as a competitive player in the global oil and gas industry.
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Recently, the company was honoured with the prestigious “Nigerian Content Indigenous Service Company of the Year” award at the 2025 Champions of Nigerian Content Awards, presented by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
This award not only recognises Dorman Long’s outstanding contributions to capacity building, local sourcing, and engineering excellence in key national projects but also cements its position as a driving force behind Nigeria’s local content development.
By empowering local talent, promoting technology transfer, and fostering a culture of innovation, the company has paved the way for a brighter future for the industry, one that is characterised by excellence, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
