NCDMB to train 10,000 Nigerians in high-demand oil skills

From Amgbare Prince, Yenagoa

In line with its capacity building mandate, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is set to train over 10,000 young Nigerians in top 10 high-demand skills in the oil and gas industry.

The initiative is part of the NCDMB Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Program, aimed at equipping the next generation of Nigerians with practical skills for top careers in the sector.

The programme will focus on skills such as Sub-sea Engineers, Underwater Welders, Control and Automation Engineers, Helicopter Pilots, and Geoscience Engineers, among others. These skills were identified through a review of applications for Expatriate Quotas by industry operators and engagements with key industry stakeholders.

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According to NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the program is informed by Section 10(1b) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, which prioritises Nigerian training and employment in the industry.

The programme is open to participants aged below 35 years with relevant academic qualifications.

The training will be implemented over a two-to-three-year period and will include classroom training, laboratory/workshop practicals, skills certifications, and hands-on work experience.

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Participants will also receive pre-mobilization medicals, monthly stipends, PPEs, and requisite insurance coverage to ensure they are well-supported and can focus on learning.

NCDMB’s Director of Capacity Building, Engr. Bamidele Abayomi, explained that the skills gap closure programme will be re-assessed after two to three years to determine if the top 10 skills should be adjusted or continued.

According to Engr.Bamidele, successful trainees will be included in the Board’s skills database for circulation to service and operating companies.

The initiative is part of the Nigerian government’s efforts to boost the oil and gas industry, with recent investments including the US$2 billion HI Field Gas Project and the US$5 billion Bonga North Deepwater project. These investments are expected to create new opportunities for Nigerians in the sector.

The NCDMB’s efforts are aimed at ensuring that Nigerians are equipped with the necessary skills to take advantage of these opportunities and contribute to the growth and development of the oil and gas industry.