The Senate Committee on Local Content, led by Senator Thomas Onowakpo, has issued a bold call to action that Nigerians must take control of their industries.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting after he replaced Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, Onowakpo outlined the Committee’s aggressive push to ensure local talent, businesses, and industries are prioritized over foreign interests.
He warned against the continued reliance on expatriates in key sectors such as oil and gas, construction, and manufacturing, stressing that Nigerians must be trained and empowered to lead.
“It is unacceptable that Nigerians are employed in industries where expatriates dominate leadership roles, yet receive little to no training. We must break this cycle and equip our people with the skills to take charge,” he declared.
To achieve this, the Committee is demanding compliance from international oil companies (IOCs), pushing for the expansion of local training institutions, and working closely with the Nigerian Immigration Service to curb the abuse of work permits.
Another pressing issue is the wage disparity between expatriates and local workers.
Onowakpo criticized the unfair system where foreigners earn significantly higher salaries for the same roles. The Committee is set to introduce policies that ensure equal pay for equal work.
“We are here to defend the interests of Nigerians. If foreign companies want to operate here, they must invest in our people, train them, and treat them fairly,” Onowakpo stated.
The Committee also plans to intensify oversight on the Nigerian Content Development Fund, ensuring that funds meant for local empowerment don’t get mismanaged or diverted.
With a renewed sense of urgency, Onowakpo urged fellow lawmakers to support the mission. “This is not just about policy; it is about national economic survival. We must act now.”
Other members of the committee who spoke in the same vein that included professor Anthony Ani, Rufai Hanga, Habib Mustapha
vowed to tackle salary disparities, expand training opportunities, and ensure fair employment practices for Nigerians working in key industries.
“We need to monitor work permits more closely to prevent unfair job allocations,” a Committee member insisted.
To ensure effective oversight, the Committee proposed:
Clearly defining its scope and objective members emphasized the urgent need to reduce foreign dependency and empower Nigerians through structured training programs.
They cited historical examples where industries such as railways, mining, and oil & gas established training institutions, arguing that modern companies should be required to do the same.
“It is unacceptable that Nigerians are employed in industries dominated by expatriates but receive little to no training,” a Committee member stated. “If we continue this way, we will always be dependent on foreign expertise. This must change.”
The Committee also raised concerns over salary disparities between local and foreign workers, where expatriates earn significantly more for the same roles.
They pledged to push for equal pay for equal work policies, ensuring fairness in compensation structures.
Another area of focus they said, is collaborating with the Nigerian Immigration Service to review work permit policies. Lawmakers expressed concerns that some companies exploit loopholes to hire expatriates for jobs that qualified Nigerians could perform
They also pledged to proactively monitor industries to address local content issues before they escalate, investigate salary gaps and advocate for policies that protect Nigerian workers.
As the Senate gears up for a tougher stance on local content enforcement, one thing is clear: the era of foreign dominance in Nigerian industries is coming to an end.
