NCDMB launches a nationwide program to equip 10,000 young Nigerians with vital technical skills for emerging opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
Nigerian government has on Monday October 27, 2025, launched a major nationwide training initiative aimed at preparing 10,000 young citizens for careers in the oil and gas sector, as the country seeks to strengthen local participation in its most lucrative industry.
The Human Capital Development initiative, unveiled by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), is designed to equip participants with technical and professional skills needed to fill critical roles traditionally occupied by expatriates.
Tagged the “Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Program,” the project will run for two to three years and focus on closing existing skill gaps while positioning Nigerians for new job opportunities emerging from growing investments in the sector.
Speaking at the program’s launch, NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Engineer Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the initiative was developed following a detailed review of expatriate quota applications submitted by oil companies. The review, he noted, revealed several technical areas where qualified Nigerians could assume responsibility if properly trained.
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Ogbe explained that the training framework was refined after consultations with key industry stakeholders, including the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, the Oil Producers Trade Section, and the Petroleum Contractors Trade Section. The board also received input from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and other sister agencies to ensure the curriculum reflects real market demand.
The program will cover ten key disciplines, among them subsea engineering, underwater welding, automation and control systems, helicopter piloting, seafaring, production and maintenance engineering, and geoscience. Trainees will also gain exposure to digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, and drones—skills increasingly relevant in modern energy operations.
According to Ogbe, the initiative aligns with Section 10(1b) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010, which mandates prioritizing Nigerian citizens in training and employment opportunities within the sector.
Applicants must be under 35 years old and hold qualifications such as OND, HND, or BSc in petroleum, mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, or gas engineering. Graduates from fields like geology, computer science, and metallurgy are also encouraged to apply through the NOGIC Joint Qualification System portal at https://nogicjqs.gov.ng.
The NCDMB said it plans to review the program after its initial phase to ensure it remains aligned with evolving industry needs and global energy trends.
Africa Daily News, New York
