Amanze ChinonyeNigeria’s push to build indigenous capacity in the oil and gas value chain received a major boost at the weekend as the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) advanced two flagship human capital development initiatives in Rivers and Bayelsa States.
In Port Harcourt, 39 young Nigerians were inducted into an 18-month maritime cadetship programme jointly sponsored by Chevron Nigeria Limited and Intels Nigeria Limited under NCDMB’s Nigerian Content – Human Capacity Development (NC-HCD) scheme.
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The training, patterned after the Board’s 60:20:20 Strategic Training Model, provides sea-time experience, Certificate of Competence (CoC) training, and hands-on exposure across technical domains within Lagos-based Stoilic Shipping Limited.
Sixty percent of trainees are expected to secure job placement upon completion a crucial step in tackling graduate unemployment while strengthening Nigeria’s maritime workforce.
Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by GM, Human Capacity Development, Barr. Esueme Kikile, said human capital development is “a non-negotiable pillar” of local content. He stressed that training young professionals will help Nigeria retain more value in the oil and gas supply chain.
Chevron’s Capacity Building Advisor, Victor Inyere, hailed the cadets’ resilience, while Stoilic’s GM, Mrs. Chimamanda Okafor, disclosed that the company’s cadets recorded a 100 percent pass rate in recent CoC exams and that plans are underway to establish a world-class maritime university in Nigeria.
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At the same time in Yenagoa, NCDMB hosted Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, at its Capacity Building Mentorship Series.
Speaking to young entrepreneurs, startups, and industry professionals, the former NNPC GMD and OPEC President urged indigenous firms to innovate, scale capacity, and embrace competitiveness if they are to thrive in an evolving global energy market. Participants described the session as a rare opportunity to learn from a key reformer credited with landmark policies that reshaped Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
With the simultaneous rollout of a maritime cadetship programme and a mentorship session led by one of the oil industry’s foremost reformers, the NCDMB is positioning human capital at the heart of Nigeria’s energy future.
By equipping youths with technical skills and entrepreneurial insight, the Board is not only addressing immediate capacity gaps but also laying the groundwork for a generation of Nigerians who can drive innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable growth across the oil, gas, and maritime value chains.
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.
