THE URGENT NEED TO ABANDON THE NIGERIAN LOCAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT AND ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION BILL, 2020.

Paper by: O. M. Atoyebi, SAN.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The multiplicity of laws does not guarantee the attainment of their intended purposes, if anything, such a slippery move only results in unwarranted conflicts in the application of their provisions which hampers national growth, sap the economy of its hard generated wealth and creates an atmosphere of administrative cum governmental underperformance, in the bid to implement the unrealistic purports and goals imposed by these multifarious yet needless legislations. The Nigerian Local Content Development and Enforcement Commission Bill of 2020 (hereinafter referred to as “The Commission Bill”) which undertakes to repeal the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010 (hereinafter referred to as “The NOGICD Act”) and to Enact the Nigerian Local Content Development and Enforcement Commission Act, to Establish the Nigerian Local Content Development Commission and to Provide for Comprehensive Framework, Structures, Programmes and Schemes for the institutionalisation and strengthening of Nigerian Local Content in all Sectors of the Nigerian Economy for Self Sufficiency, Job Creation, International Competitiveness of Nigerian Domestic Businesses and Economic Diversification and for Matters Connected therewith, is one of such would-be laws that smack of the above espoused shortfalls if allowed to come into life. This piece as a sequel to the previous critique on the Bill (termed ‘a misconstrued perception of the executive order 003 and 005’), further highlights the unwarrantedness of this legislative exercise vis-à-vis the well informed views expressed by concerned key players in the economy on the need to weigh its pros and cons against the ultimate objective of national development and economic coherence.

About the author:

O. M. Atoyebi, SAN

Mr. Oyetola Muyiwa Atoyebi, SAN is one of the most notable professional Nigerian lawyer, who has distinguished himself in his professional sphere within the country and internationally. He is the youngest in the history of Nigeria to be elevated to the rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. At age 34, he was conferred with the prestigious rank in September, 2019. Mr. O.M. Atoyebi, SAN can be characterized as a diligent, persistent, resourceful, reliable and humble individual who presents a charismatic and structured approach to solving problems and also an unwavering commitment to achieving client’s goals. His hard work and dedication to his client’s objectives sets him apart from his peers.

As the Managing Partner of O.M. Atoyebi, SAN & Partners, also known as OMAPLEX Law Firm, he is the team leader of the Emerging Areas of Practice of the Firm and one of the leading Senior Advocates of Nigeria in Local Content Law, where he has worked with various key industry stakeholders and successfully facilitated transactions in the Oil & Gas and Energy Sector. He has a track record of being diligent and he ensures that the same drive and zeal is put into all matters handled by the Firm.