Dr. Ernest Chu Nwapa is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Doctor of Management Technology (Honoris Causa) from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
He started his career in the Projects Engineering Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in 1983, and worked for over 2 decades on engineering projects in Nigeria playing key roles in design, supervision and project management.
He was appointed as the pioneer Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the sole agency responsible for the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act signed in 2010. In his 5 year tenure at the Board, he prioritized local content for the Nigerian oil and gas industry, and led it to achieve many industry successes, including Increase in Indigenous Asset Ownership, where over US$2.5 billion was saved through promotion of indigenous marine vessel and rig ownership, Increase in Human Capital Development, Promotion of the LC Development Fund, the development of in-country manufacturing, heavy fabrication, dry docking and subsea capabilities.
He also championed strategic national programs, such as the development of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS), a pilot line pipe mill in Nigeria, and implementation of the Nigerian Content Entrepreneurship & Youth Empowerment Program, amongst other initiatives.
Dr. Nwapa retired from 32years of nationally and internationally recognized public service in August 2015. He now works as a private development consultant, and is currently conducting research and supporting clients on best practices for regional local content collaboration, and extension of the Local Content Agenda to other sectors of the economy.
Dr. Ernest Nwapa has also authored several papers and made presentations on the subjects of local content development and capacity building locally and internationally. He is now internationally recognized and well known for his advocacy and promotion of capacity building and local content development in the Oil & Gas, and other industries.
He is also the Founder and CEO of NG Content Future Concepts Limited, a local content development consultancy in Nigeria.