The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched a large-scale human capital development initiative to train over 10,000 young Nigerians in high-demand skills for the oil and gas industry.
The program, themed the Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Program, is designed to prepare graduates and technicians for opportunities in new projects driven by the recent resurgence of major investments in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Announcing the initiative, NCDMB Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the training aims to close skill gaps identified through industry reviews and consultations with key stakeholders, including the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), and the Petroleum Contractors Trade Section (PCTS).
“We are equipping young Nigerians with practical, field-ready skills to ensure they can take part in the new wave of oil and gas projects and reduce overreliance on expatriate expertise,” Ogbe said.
According to the Board, the top 10 skill areas identified for training include subsea engineering, underwater welding, control and automation, helicopter piloting, marine operations, production and maintenance engineering, QA/QC inspection, geoscience, and emerging digital technologies such as AI, IoT, and Big Data.
The programme will run for two to three years, combining classroom learning, laboratory work, certification, and at least six months of on-the-job training in collaboration with leading service companies. Participants will also receive medical checks, monthly stipends, personal protective equipment, and insurance coverage.
NCDMB’s Director of Capacity Building, Bamidele Abayomi, said the Board will partner at least three service companies in each skill area to deliver hands-on experience and ensure participants are ready for employment. He added that the skill areas would be re-evaluated after each phase to match industry needs.
“Our goal is to make participants not just employable but indispensable to the ongoing oil and gas expansion projects,” Abayomi stated.
The training program is open to applicants below 35 years with OND, HND, or BSc in engineering, sciences, or related fields. Registration is ongoing via the NOGIC JQS portal (nogicjqs.gov.ng).
The initiative follows a series of new oil and gas projects announced in recent months, including the US$2 billion HI Field Gas Project by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and Sunlink Energies, as well as TotalEnergies’ US$550 million UBETA Gas Project and Bonga North Deepwater Project, valued at US$5 billion.
These projects, according to NCDMB, reflect the impact of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the implementation of new Nigerian Content Contracting Guidelines, which aim to accelerate local participation and drive the country toward a US$1 trillion economy.
