The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has unveiled a major Human Capital Development (HCD) initiative to train over 10,000 Nigerians in the top 10 most sought-after technical skills in the oil and gas industry.
The programme, known as the NCDMB Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Program, is designed to close critical skill gaps, prepare young graduates for high-value energy jobs, and position Nigerians for active participation in upcoming mega projects by both international and indigenous oil companies.
Speaking during the program launch, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the initiative was informed by data from expatriate quota applications, industry engagements, and prior skills gap analyses conducted in partnership with the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), and Petroleum Contractors Trade Section (PCTS).
According to Ogbe, the new wave of large-scale investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector—including Shell’s $2 billion HI Field Gas Project and TotalEnergies’ $550 million Ubeta Gas Project—has created renewed demand for technical expertise. “Our goal is to ensure that Nigerians are not bystanders but key participants in these projects,” he said.
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The top 10 high-demand skills identified under the program include sub-sea engineering, underwater welding, control and automation engineering, helicopter operations, marine and vessel operations, production and maintenance engineering, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), and geoscience and field data analysis
The training targets Nigerians under the age of 35 with OND, HND, or B.Sc. degrees in relevant disciplines such as Petroleum, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Civil, Gas, Welding, Metallurgy, Geology, Geophysics, and Computer Engineering.
Participants will undergo a rigorous 12-month to multi-year training process covering classroom instruction, laboratory practicals, professional certifications, and hands-on industry experience through on-the-job training (OJT) partnerships with service companies.
Engr. Bamidele Abayomi, NCDMB’s Director of Capacity Building, noted that each skill area will have at least three service company partners, with soft skill components delivered by accredited training providers under the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN).
Graduates deemed competent and field-ready will be entered into NCDMB’s skills database, accessible to operators and service firms under the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, which mandates first consideration for Nigerians in employment and training.
To support participants, NCDMB will provide medicals, monthly stipends, personal protective equipment (PPEs), and insurance coverage.
The Board emphasised that the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda and the administration’s goal of driving Nigeria toward a $1 trillion economy, leveraging local capacity in the energy sector.