NCDMB, Renaissance Begin 12-Month Oil and Gas Training for 300 Nigerians

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, has commenced a 12-month Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Programme for 300 young Nigerians to prepare them for careers in the petroleum industry.

The initiative is designed to equip participants with technical and professional competencies required in the oil and gas sector, particularly in mechanical, electrical and instrumentation engineering.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the General Manager, Corporate Communications of the NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, the programme consists of three months of intensive classroom learning followed by nine months of practical on-the-job training with partner oil and gas service companies.

The statement noted that the beneficiaries were selected through a competitive process involving qualified graduates from different parts of the country.

Out of the 300 participants, 240 will undergo training in Lagos, while the remaining 60 will be trained in Port Harcourt.

Speaking at the inauguration of the programme, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, described the initiative as another step towards strengthening local capacity and increasing Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry.

Represented by the Board’s Assistant Manager, Human Capacity Development, Tari Bufazi, Ogbe said the programme aligns with the NCDMB’s mandate of promoting human capital development and creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.

“This is more than the commencement of a training programme. It is the beginning of a journey for young Nigerians who will acquire world-class skills in mechanical, instrumentation and electrical disciplines,” he said.

Ogbe explained that participants would benefit from practical industry exposure, mentorship and internationally recognised certifications that would improve their competitiveness within the sector.

He noted that specialised expertise in automation, instrumentation and engineering operations remains essential for the safe, efficient and sustainable exploitation of Nigeria’s petroleum resources, especially as the country anticipates fresh investments in the industry.

According to him, the programme has been structured to bridge existing skills gaps while preparing participants for the evolving demands of the oil and gas sector.

He encouraged the trainees to remain committed throughout the programme, describing the opportunity as one capable of transforming them into skilled professionals, innovators and future industry leaders.

The NCDMB reiterated its commitment to collaborating with industry stakeholders to develop a highly skilled Nigerian workforce capable of driving growth, innovation and increased local content participation in the nation’s oil and gas sector.