The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has strongly refuted recent allegations made by a group masquerading as a civil society coalition. The group, identified as the Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance (CCSGG), has been accused of recycling baseless claims originally published by Sahara Reporters against the agency’s operations.
In a statement released by its Corporate Communications Department, the NCDMB described the allegations as a coordinated smear campaign backed by undisclosed sponsors. The Board emphasized that these claims have already been addressed in a previous statement titled “NCDMB Observes the Highest Standards of Accountability, Transparency, and Due Process in Its Operations”, which was widely circulated on February 13, 2025.
False Claims and Misrepresentation
The NCDMB clarified several key points in response to the allegations:
1. The Board and its Executive Secretary did not spend the amount claimed in the circulated reports.
2. The Strategic Workshop organized by the Board with key government stakeholders in the oil and gas sector was a routine biennial event aimed at aligning policies with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010.
3. All expenditures related to the workshop followed due process and were in line with approved financial and procurement guidelines.
4. The claim that N9.9 billion was spent on consultancy services is entirely false, with previous reports quoting different figures within a short period, further exposing the inconsistencies in the allegations.
5. The consultancy services of S.B. Capital Partners & Advisory Limited, engaged since 2018, are strictly for credit review of projects under the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF) with the Bank of Industry.
Commitment to Transparency
The NCDMB reaffirmed its dedication to transparency and efficiency in governance. The Board has won the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Award as the most transparent federal agency for three consecutive years.
“We urge the media and the public to disregard these unfounded accusations. This is a desperate attempt to tarnish the Board’s reputation,” the statement read.
The NCDMB further stated that it is aware of the sponsors behind the smear campaign and will expose them in due time.
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