The Federal Government has promised to increase its support for the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) as part of efforts to develop a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of Nigeria’s growing energy industry.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, made the commitment at the OGTAN Human Capital Development Conference and Expo in Warri, Delta State.
Lokpobiri said Nigeria was entering a new phase of oil and gas investment, with several major projects expected to reach Final Investment Decisions (FIDs). He said the projects could create significant opportunities for the country but warned that Nigeria must have enough properly trained workers to take advantage of them.
According to the minister, investor confidence in Nigeria is improving because of reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu. He said these reforms were making the country more attractive to international investors and creating a pipeline of projects that would require highly skilled professionals.
He explained that OGTAN, which has more than 400 members, would have an important role to play in preparing the workforce needed to execute these projects.
However, Lokpobiri expressed concern that some training institutions were still using outdated materials that do not reflect the realities of today’s technology-driven oil and gas industry.
He said the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, digital technology and modern industrial systems means trainers themselves must continuously update their knowledge.
The minister warned that Nigeria could face serious challenges if investments arrive faster than the country can develop the workers required to manage and operate the projects.
To address the problem, the Federal Government said it would work with OGTAN through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act.
The partnership is expected to improve training facilities, strengthen technical education and help prepare Nigerian workers for opportunities in the oil and gas sector.
Lokpobiri also called on OGTAN to expand its activities beyond Nigeria. He noted that Nigerian-trained professionals are already working in several African countries, including Angola, Congo and Gabon.
He said Nigeria has an opportunity to become a major source of skilled oil and gas professionals for the continent.
Other industry leaders at the event also raised concerns about the readiness of Nigeria’s workforce.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, represented at the event by the Director of Capacity Building, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, said Nigeria had lost nearly 15 years of investment opportunities.
The Managing Director of ND Western, Olanrewaju Kalejaiye, said human capital development should go beyond simply meeting regulatory requirements. He argued that companies should view skilled workers as an important part of long-term business growth.
The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Dr Afeez Ogun, also stressed that competence should be measured by what a worker can actually do, rather than simply by the certificates they possess.
Professor Mike Onyekonwu, a pioneer chairman of OGTAN, added that Nigerian graduates have the intelligence needed to succeed but require greater exposure to practical training, digital skills and international quality standards.
The growing focus on training comes as Nigeria prepares for a potential new wave of oil and gas investments. Industry stakeholders believe closing the skills gap will be critical if the country wants to ensure that more of the jobs and economic benefits from these projects remain within Nigeria.
