NCDMB Stars Shine Bright: Two top executives earn Doctorates at UNIPORT’s 35th convocation

Photo shows r-l: Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, Director of Corporate Services, and Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, General Manager of Corporate Communications

Two prominent leaders from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have added prestigious academic honors to their impressive careers. 

On Saturday, July 26, 2025, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, Director of Corporate Services, and Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, General Manager of Corporate Communications, both proudly received their Doctorate degrees during the 35th combined convocation ceremony at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Their academic achievements highlight the commitment of NCDMB’s senior management to continuous learning and professional excellence, further strengthening the board’s leadership as it drives the growth of Nigeria’s local content in the oil and gas sector.

The milestone event was attended by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the newly appointed Director of Finance and Personnel Management (DFPM), Mr. Uchenna Ossaowa Andrew, and immediate past chairman of Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) and member of NCDMB Governing Council, Mazi Sam Azoka Onyechi. 

Other industry colleagues, friends, and family members were at hand to celebrate the two scholars, who later held reception events at different locations.

Dr Abdulmalik Halilu’s doctorate is in Energy, Economics, Management and Policy, and crowns his years of intellectual interventions and leadership at the industry and NCDMB, where he has held several roles, including Manager Strategy, General Manager Research and Statistics, Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Director Monitoring and Evaluation and currently as Director Corporate Services.

Hon Ossa Uchendu, Director Finance and Personnel Management and large contingent of NCDMB staff and their families attended Obinna Ezeobi’s doctorate celebration and book presentation yesterday at Port Harcourt

Dr. Obinna Ezeobi bagged his degree in Energy Communications and his convocation’s reception was uniquely marked by the public presentation of his book titled “Local Content: A Journey of Strategic Communication and Economic Transformation.”

The book was released in April 2025, and coincided with the 15th Anniversary of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act. The book was endorsed by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and his Gas counterpart, Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo as well as the current and past Executive Secretaries of NCDMB.

His doctorate reception featured goodwill messages and high profile reviews. The chairman of the occasion, Chief Nathan Egba, former Commissioner for Information, Bayelsa State, in his remark described the book as a powerful chronicle of NCDMB’s influence on Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and an essential contribution to policy discourse.

Mr. Teddy Bai, Supervisor in NCDMB’s Corporate Communications Division, celebrated Dr. Ezeobi’s commitment and influence, describing his achievement as a milestone in strategic nation building.

Further insights came from Mr. Hector Igbikiowubo, Media Adviser to the Sole Administrator of Rivers State Government, and Engr. Bashir Ahmed, Supervisor at the NCDMB, who both emphasized the book’s detailed account of communication strategies and stakeholder engagement. Mr. Igbikiowubo encouraged regional governments to adopt the NCDMB model to boost local participation and regional development.

Photo shows L-R: Mrs. Obianuju Ezeobi, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, General Manager, Corporate Communications, NCDMB, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, Director Corporate Services, NCDMB, and Mrs. Fatima Aliyu Abdulmalik

In his detailed review of the book, Mr. Mayor Ikoroha, Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State, called the book a masterclass in strategic communication that helped gave detailed account of Nigeria’s local content retention to 56 percent.

The celebration, according to a press release issued Corporate Communications unit of the NCDMB, concluded with a book signing and photo session, marking not only the academic success of Dr. Ezeobi, but also his growing impact as a strategic communicator in the energy industry, thought leader, and advocate for sustainable national development.
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