Addressing the Socio-Economic Concerns of the Niger Delta Host Communities Through Local Content Policy; the Impact of Nigerias Local Participation Policy on Her Investment Climate
Authors: Oni Babatunde 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Objective and scope
This paper aims to establish that proper resource management and governance within the Nigerian oil and gas industry, more specifically, her local participation policy, which focuses on adequately addressing the social and economic concerns of the host communities in oil producing regions of Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta, will ultimately lead to more secure and sustainable economic development and a more attractive investment climate for Nigeria.

Methods Procedure, process
This research study will employ an analytical approach, more specifically qualitative analysis, in analyzing the interplay between the various factors which have birthed low oil and gas productivity in the Niger delta region of Nigeria and how proper application of Nigeria's local participation policy can influence the circumstances and yield positive result. The research study will rely heavily on available literature and legislative enactments, as well as available case law on the issues concerned.
The primary sources in the collection of materials for this paper will comprise of journals, books, and articles which address the relevant research questions guiding the scope of this paper.

Results, Observation, conclusion
Nigeria's local content policy, just like many other governmental policies in Nigeria, has been criticized as being vulnerable to corruption as a result of the manifest lack of transparency in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, and local content has already been labelled as a potential victim of capture as a result of this dearth in transparency. It is imperative that the broad discretionary powers granted to the local content monitoring board, and the minister of petroleum by the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, be utilized in a manner devoid of parochial ethnic sentiments or political interest, in order for Nigeria to properly take advantage of the economic development benefits provided by the proper implementation of local content policy. The long term benefits of local content policy such as technology transfer, long term fiscal incentives, and the growth of local commerce and industry, will go a long way in setting Nigeria on a plain path to sustainable economic growth and better resource management. It is important that the Nigerian government play its role in driving local content policy by facilitating Nigerian enterprises to take active part in the local content programs, as well as keep tabs and monitor the effectiveness of local content policy in achieving its targets.

New or additive information to the industry
Proper implementation of Local Content policy in Nigeria will be beneficial, not just for the host communities but for the rest of the country, as well as for all investors in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, by providing thousands of employment opportunities for the locals, as well as providing a much needed technology transfer which will result in a structural transformation of not just the local manufacturing industries in Nigeria but the entire Nigerian oil and gas industry as well; thus addressing a major aspect of the social and economic concerns of the local people, and also giving Nigeria's economy a much needed boost towards achieving sustainable development in her natural resources sector.