From Amgbare Prince in Yenagoa
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) was crowned Government Partner of the Year at the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) 4th Annual Human Capital Development Awards 2025, held Friday in Lagos.
The honour, presented during a dynamic event themed “Indigenous Excellence and Human Capital: Partners for the Future of Energy,” was accepted by NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Engr Felix Omatsola Ogbe.
In his acceptance speech delivered by Esueme Dan Kikile, General Manager of Human Capital Development, Ogbe called the award a tribute to the shared vision of NCDMB’s partners, stakeholders, and Nigerians who see human capital as the engine of industrial growth.
“This accolade celebrates the grit, vision, and teamwork driving our mission to empower people as the heart of industry transformation,” he said, stressing that people outshine infrastructure and technology as the true force behind innovation and economic progress.”
Kikile highlighted NCDMB’s stellar record, including over 10 million training man-hours provided to more than 9,000 Nigerians in vital oil and gas skills.
He emphasized that every NCDMB-supported project embeds targeted training to sharpen workforce capabilities, aligning with industry needs.
Unveiling bold new plans, Kikile announced the Nigerian Content Trainers Registration Certification to standardize training and eliminate unqualified instructors, and the Top Ten/Top Twenty Skills Gap Programme to tackle critical skill shortages across short, medium, and long terms. “Training will be laser-focused on industry demands,” he vowed.
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Kikile also spotlighted the “Back to the Creeks Programme,” aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to equip Niger Delta youth with job-ready skills.
The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System further connects skilled professionals and businesses to opportunities through a robust database.
Praising OGTAN’s role in professional training since its 2010 launch under NCDMB’s guidance, Kikile reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to advancing human capital in oil, gas, and emerging fields like renewables and digital energy. “Together, we’re building a skilled workforce to lead Africa’s energy future,” he said.
OGTAN President Chris Osarumwense declared, “Human capital is the foundation of Nigeria’s energy future.” OGTAN’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Sam Onyechi, credited NCDMB’s pivotal role in OGTAN’s growth into Nigeria’s top human capacity development body, with sights set on continental leadership.
Former OGTAN President Dr. Mayowa Afe urged sustained investment in people-driven initiatives. “We’re shaping professionals to propel this industry,” he said, framing training as a high-return investment for businesses and the economy.
Afe called for ongoing efforts to build a skilled generation ready to steer Africa’s energy landscape.
The award cements NCDMB’s leadership in championing human capital as the oil and gas sector’s most vital asset, setting a gold standard for Nigeria’s energy industry.
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