As FIDs surge, NCDMB to train over 10,000 Nigerians in high-demand oil and gas skills
CHIGOZIE AMADI
In response to the resurgence of major investments and new projects in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, the Nigerian content development and monitoring board (NCDMB) has launched a landmark human capital development (HCD) programme aimed at training more than 10,000 young Nigerians in ten high demand technical and professional skill areas within the sector.
The initiative, officially titled the NCDMB oil and gas field readiness training programme, is designed to prepare and empower the next generation of Nigerian professionals with practical, industry relevant expertise, enabling them to actively participate in recently approved oil and gas projects by both international and indigenous operators.
Announcing the programme on Friday, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, executive secretary of the NCDMB, explained that the initiative was developed to address specific skill gaps identified through the board’s review of expatriate quota applications submitted by industry operators.
The skill areas were further validated through consultations with key stakeholders, including the petroleum technology association of Nigeria (PETAN), oil producers trade section (OPTS), and petroleum contractors trade section (PCTS).
The NCDMB also leveraged insights from the portfolios of upcoming projects and findings from skill gap studies conducted by sister agencies such as the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).
The Top 10 priority skill areas identified under the Field Readiness Programme include,Subsea Engineering (Wellheads, Flowlines, Umbilicals, Subsea Trees, etc,Underwater Welding,control and automation Engineering cementing, well control, Rig Operations, etc.
Others are,helicopter piloting,marine operations seamen, sailors, vessel mechanics electricians, production and maintenance engineering control room operations, maintenance crew, quality assurance quality control (QA/QC) engineering including NDT levels 1, 2, and 3,geoscience and geophysics,seismic, wellsite geology, etc,digitalization and emerging technologies AI, machine learning, IoT, big data, cloud computing, drones, etc.
According to Engr. Ogbe, this strategic intervention aligns with Section 10(1b) of the Nigerian oil and gas industry content development (NOGICD) act, 2010, which mandates that “Nigerians shall be given first consideration for training and employment in the work programme for which the Nigerian Content Plan was submitted by an industry operator.”
The programme targets Nigerians below the age of 35 who hold OND, HND, or B.Sc. degrees in disciplines such as petroleum, mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, gas, welding, and metallurgical engineering, eligible candidates from related fields, including geology, geophysics, computer science/engineering, and other science based disciplines, are also encouraged to apply.
Application Process
Interested individuals should apply through nogicjqs.gov.ng/accounts/login by following one of the three outlined steps:New applicants: Create an account, update your profile and academic records, then complete the NCDMB Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Programme registration,applicantswith incomplete profiles,update your profile and academic records before proceeding to register,applicants with complete profiles proceed directly to registration.applicants may select a maximum of three (3) preferred skill areas in order of priority.
Providing further details, Engr. Bamidele Abayomi, NCDMB’s director of capacity Building, noted that the skill gap closure programme would span two to three years, during which the board will periodically reassess and update the list of priority skill areas.
Furthermore each training cycle will run for a minimum of 12 months, incorporating four key components classroom learning, laboratory/workshop practice, skills certification, and hands-on work experience.
Participants will also undergo a minimum of six months of on-the-job training (OJT) with partner service companies to ensure they are fully industry-ready.
At least three service companies will partner with the Board in each skill area, alongside HSE certification providers and OGTAN-registered training institutions for soft skills delivery.
Trainees who successfully complete the programme and are certified as competent will be included in the NCDMB Skills Database, which will be shared with operating and service companies in line with the NOGICD Act.
To ensure participant welfare and commitment, all trainees will receive pre-mobilization medicals, monthly stipends, personal protective equipment (PPEs), and comprehensive insurance coverage throughout the programme duration.
This initiative comes on the heels of major new project announcements, including the US$2 billion HI field gas project by Shell Nigeria exploration and Production company (SNEPCo) and Sunlink Energies and Resources Limited, following earlier projects such as TotalEnergies’ US$550 million UBETA Gas Project (September 2024) and the US$5 billion Bonga North Deepwater Project (December 2024).
These projects are direct outcomes of the three presidential directives (PDs) issued by bresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March 2024 to stimulate investment in the oil and gas sector.
Supported by the revised and fast tracked Nigerian Content Contracting Guidelines implemented by the NCDMB, these efforts are unlocking long-delayed projects and advancing Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda towards building a US$1 trillion economy.
