Amanze Chinonye
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced plans to train over 10,000 young Nigerians in the most sought-after technical and professional skills in the oil and gas sector, under a new initiative tagged the Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Programme.
The programme, unveiled by the NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, aims to bridge critical skill gaps in the industry and position Nigerians to take active roles in upcoming oil and gas projects recently approved following a surge in major investments and Final Investment Decisions (FIDs).
Ogbe explained that the training targets the top 10 high-demand skill areas identified from industry expatriate quota applications, consultations with key stakeholders such as the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), and the Petroleum Contractors Trade Section (PCTS), as well as studies by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe skills include subsea engineering, underwater welding, control and automation, helicopter piloting, seafaring and vessel mechanics, production and maintenance engineering, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), geoscience engineering, and digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and drone operations.
According to Ogbe, the programme is in line with Section 10(1b) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, which mandates that Nigerians be given first consideration for training and employment in oil and gas work programmes.
Participation is open to Nigerians under the age of 35 with OND, HND, or B.Sc. degrees in relevant fields such as petroleum, mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, gas, welding, metallurgy, geology, geophysics, and computer science or engineering.
READ ALSO : NCDMB Launches New Compliance Certificate to Boost Transparency in Oil, Gas Funding
NCDMB, Coppercrux Train South-South Youths on CNG Opportunities
How to Apply
Applicants are required to create or update their profiles on the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System (NOGIC JQS) portal – nogicjqs.gov.ng – and register for the Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Programme, selecting up to three preferred skill areas.
Providing further details, the NCDMB’s Director of Capacity Building, Engr. Bamidele Abayomi, said the training would run for two to three years, featuring classroom sessions, practical laboratory work, skills certifications, and at least six months of on-the-job training (OJT) with partner service companies.
He added that participants would receive monthly stipends, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical clearance, and insurance coverage, while trainees who successfully complete the programme would be included in the Board’s national skills database for potential employment opportunities.
Abayomi noted that at least three service companies will partner with the Board for each skill area, and soft skills training will be delivered by approved trainers under the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN).
The launch of the training programme follows a wave of new investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, including the US$2 billion HI Field Gas Project by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and Sunlink Energies and Resources Limited, the US$550 million UBETA Gas Project by TotalEnergies, and the US$5 billion Bonga North Deepwater Project announced by SNEPCo in December 2024.
These projects, NCDMB said, are direct results of the three Presidential Directives issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March 2024 to stimulate growth in the sector and unlock long-delayed investments, supporting the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda for a $1 trillion economy.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
