Terry DavidWhen Simbi Wabote took over as Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in 2016, the organisation faced a dual challenge. It had to deepen Nigeria’s local content in the energy sector while also streamlining how companies engaged with its processes. In an industry where delays and complexity can derail investment, Wabote understood that operational efficiency was not just an administrative goal—it was a strategic imperative.
Over the next seven years, he turned that understanding into action, guiding NCDMB to achieve top-tier rankings in Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business assessments. His tenure proved that regulatory agencies could be both rigorous in enforcing standards and responsive to the needs of the businesses they serve.
A Strategic Shift in Mindset
Wabote came to the role with decades of experience in the private sector, including senior leadership at Shell, where he was involved in global strategy and project delivery. This background gave him a clear perspective: efficiency and transparency are competitive advantages. For an agency like NCDMB, those qualities could make the difference between attracting investment and driving it away.
From the start, he worked to change the perception of NCDMB from a bottleneck to a partner in business growth. That meant shifting internal culture, improving stakeholder communication, and aligning processes with global best practices. His approach combined corporate discipline with public service accountability—a blend that helped the Board earn the trust of both government and industry players.
Streamlining Processes
Central to Wabote’s reforms was a push to digitise and standardise procedures. Before his tenure, many approvals and compliance checks were handled manually, creating opportunities for delay and inconsistency. He championed the introduction of online portals for submitting and tracking applications, reducing processing times and providing applicants with greater visibility into the status of their requests.
He also simplified documentation requirements where possible, ensuring that compliance obligations were clear, relevant, and not duplicative. These changes not only sped up project timelines but also reduced the administrative burden on companies, making it easier for them to focus on their core operations.
Measurable Results
Under Wabote’s leadership, NCDMB’s improvements were reflected in national rankings. The agency’s operations became known for predictable timelines, transparent criteria, and responsive communication. In a regulatory environment often criticised for opacity, these qualities set NCDMB apart.
These efficiency gains were not abstract—they directly impacted investment flows. Energy companies operating in Nigeria could plan with greater confidence, knowing that key approvals and verifications would not become protracted obstacles. This stability supported the growth of local content from 26 percent in 2016 to 54 percent by 2023, a leap that also owed much to NCDMB’s broader policy initiatives.
Infrastructure as Part of Ease of Business
Simbi Wabote understood that ease of doing business was not only about paperwork. It was also about the physical infrastructure that enables projects to proceed smoothly. During his tenure, NCDMB invested in key facilities such as the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS), designed to provide manufacturing capacity and logistics support for companies in the sector.
By coupling regulatory efficiency with strategic infrastructure development, Wabote addressed two critical investor concerns at once—reducing both bureaucratic and operational friction.
Stakeholder Engagement
Improving ease of business required listening as much as directing. Wabote prioritised structured engagement with stakeholders, holding regular forums to gather feedback from operators, service companies, and community representatives. These sessions helped the Board fine-tune its policies and provided a channel for clarifying expectations on both sides.
This emphasis on dialogue built mutual respect between the regulator and the regulated. Companies knew their concerns would be heard, and the Board benefited from on-the-ground insights that could inform more practical and effective rules.
Balancing Speed with Standards
One of the risks in accelerating regulatory processes is the potential erosion of quality and compliance. Wabote’s approach avoided this pitfall by embedding strong accountability mechanisms into the streamlined systems.
Digital tracking tools allowed for better oversight of timelines, while internal performance metrics ensured that faster processes did not come at the cost of thorough review. The result was a regulatory environment that moved efficiently without compromising the integrity of Nigeria’s local content objectives.
A Legacy of Operational Excellence
By the time Wabote concluded his tenure in 2023, NCDMB had not only improved its standing in ease-of-business metrics but had also demonstrated a model for how Nigerian regulatory agencies could operate. His leadership left behind systems and cultural norms that valued clarity, predictability, and partnership with industry. This article from African Energy Chamber explores his work further.
In his view, these achievements were not just about the Board’s reputation—they were about Nigeria’s economic competitiveness. An efficient, credible regulator makes the country a more attractive destination for investment, which in turn fuels job creation, skill development, and industrial growth.
The Broader Lesson
For Wabote, the story of NCDMB’s rise in ease-of-business rankings is a case study in aligning organisational mission with national economic goals. By making it easier for companies to operate while holding them to robust local content standards, he showed that efficiency and regulation are not opposites—they can be complementary forces.
His tenure serves as an example to other sectors grappling with similar challenges: that in the balance between oversight and facilitation lies the key to unlocking sustainable growth.
Check out coverage of his speaking engagement at NOG Energy Week at the link below:
https://www.nogenergyweek.com/speakers/2022-speakers/engr-simbi-wabote
