NLNG Train 7 Drives Nigerian Content, Boosts Industrial Growth
Rashidat Olushola Okunlade Writes
Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has described its Train 7 project as a major catalyst for Nigerian Content development and industrial growth, highlighting the initiative’s role in strengthening local manufacturing capacity, technical expertise, and participation in the nation’s oil and gas industry.
Speaking during a panel session on Nigerian Content support, lessons, experiences, and success stories at the Nigerian Oil and Gas Midstream and Downstream Summit (NOGMDS) 2026 in Lagos, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria LNG Limited, Adeleye Falade, said the Train 7 project represents far more than an expansion of LNG production capacity.
Falade, who was represented by the Train 7 Project Manager, Ali Uwais, described the project as “a practical model for intentional localisation of expertise,” noting that it demonstrates how Nigerian Content initiatives can drive industrial capability while delivering projects of global standards.
He also commended the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for sustaining efforts aimed at advancing growth and development across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Providing insights into the project’s milestones, Uwais disclosed that Train 7 has achieved more than 120 million man-hours and approximately 92 per cent Nigerian Content participation. According to him, the achievement reflects NLNG’s deliberate strategy to deepen local capacity and expand indigenous participation across the project value chain.
He attributed the success to extensive industry collaboration, structured Nigerian Content implementation plans, and targeted investments designed to strengthen local capabilities.
Drawing lessons from earlier NLNG expansion projects, Uwais explained that the Train 7 team adopted a strategic and data-driven approach to assess local competencies and identify participation opportunities capable of meeting international standards.
According to him, the approach enabled increased involvement of Nigerian firms from the early stages of project execution.
He noted that several fabrication processes previously executed overseas were successfully carried out within Nigeria, including the fabrication of pressure vessels, structural steel components, valves, pipes, lighting systems, cables, and painting materials.
Uwais added that NLNG intentionally identified indigenous manufacturers with growth potential and provided targeted support to help them attain global quality assurance standards, rather than relying solely on conventional quality control measures.
He further revealed that NLNG collaborated with foreign technical partners to assist Nigerian companies in transitioning from asbestos-based gaskets to safer carbon-graphite alternatives. The initiative, he said, included equipment support and international testing certification aimed at strengthening local manufacturing capability.
According to Uwais, the interventions reflect NLNG’s broader commitment to positioning Nigerian Content as a long-term development strategy rather than merely a regulatory requirement.
“Our focus has been on building lasting value. We have seen Nigerian companies participate in fabrication and manufacturing activities, while universities and institutions increasingly contribute through research, innovation, and technical development. These are critical foundations for sustainable industrial growth,” he stated.
Train 7 remains one of Nigeria’s largest ongoing energy investments. Upon completion, the project is expected to increase NLNG’s production capacity from 22 million tonnes per annum to 30 million tonnes per annum, representing a 35 per cent rise in Nigeria’s LNG export capacity.
Discussions at the summit also centred on sustaining capability gains from major energy projects and encouraging continuous investment in skills development, manufacturing infrastructure, and technical capacity.
Industry stakeholders at the event emphasised that the long-term legacy of the Train 7 project may ultimately be measured not only by production expansion, but also by the enduring industrial capacity, technical knowledge, and national expertise it leaves behind.
