The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has unveiled an ambitious Human Capital Development Program targeting over 10,000 young graduates and technicians in response to the resurgence of major investments and new projects flooding Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The NCDMB Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Program aims to prepare and equip the next generation of Nigerians with practical skills for high-demand careers in the sector, positioning them to participate actively in recently launched oil and gas projects by international and indigenous operating companies.
Executive Secretary Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe confirmed that the program will address critical skill gaps identified through reviews of Expatriate Quota applications by industry operators and engagements with key stakeholders including the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, Oil Producers Trade Section, and Petroleum Contractors Trade Section. The Board also considered portfolios of major upcoming projects and skill gap studies conducted by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund.
The top-10 priority skills identified include Sub-sea Engineers specializing in wellheads, flowlines, umbilicals, and sub-sea trees; Underwater Welders; Control and Automation Engineers covering cementing, well controls, and rig operations; Helicopter Pilots; Seamen and Sailors including vessel mechanics and electricians; Production and Maintenance Engineers such as Control Room Operators and Maintenance Crew; Quality Assurance and Quality Control Engineers including NDT Levels 1, 2, and 3; Geoscience Engineers covering Seismic, Geophysics, and Wellsite Geology; and Digitization and Digitalization experts in AI, Machine Learning, IoT, Big Data, Cloud Computing, and Drones.
Ogbe explained that NCDMB’s initiative is mandated by Section 10(1b) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010, which stipulates that Nigerians shall receive first consideration for training and employment in work programs. The program is exclusively open to participants below 35 years of age possessing OND, HND, or BSC qualifications in Petroleum, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Civil, Gas, Welding and Metallurgy, Geology, Geophysics, Computer Sciences or Engineering, and other science-related disciplines.
Director of Capacity Building Engr. Bamidele Abayomi explained that the skills gap closure program will be implemented over two to three years, during which gaps will be continuously reassessed. Most training will last a minimum of 12 months, featuring four key segments: classroom training, laboratory and workshop practicals, skills certifications, and hands-on work experience including at least six months of on-the-job training with partner service companies.
At least three service companies will partner with the Board for each skill area and HSE certifications, while soft skills will be delivered by anchor trainers and OGTAN registered training providers. Participants will receive pre-mobilization medicals, monthly stipends, personal protective equipment, and requisite insurance coverage.
Successfully completing trainees assessed as competent and field-ready will be included in the Board’s skills database for circulation to service and operating companies in fulfillment of the NOGICD Act. This initiative comes as the industry witnesses unprecedented investment activity, including Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company’s recent $2 billion Final Investment Decision on the HI Field Gas Project with Sunlink Energies and Resources Limited, Total Energies’ $550 million UBETA Gas Project launched in September 2024, and SNEPCO’s $5 billion Bonga North Deepwater project announced in December 2024.
Source: orientalnewsng.com