The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched a Human Capital Development (HCD) initiative aimed at equipping over 10,000 young Nigerians with high-demand technical skills for the oil and gas sector.
Known as the NCDMB Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Programme, the scheme seeks to prepare graduates and technicians for critical roles across the industry and enhance Nigerian participation in both domestic and international projects.
Announcing the programme on Friday, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Mr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the training was designed to close persistent skills gaps identified through expatriate quota applications submitted by industry operators.
He explained that the chosen career paths were determined after consultations with key stakeholders, including the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), and the Petroleum Contractors Trade Section (PCTS), alongside studies conducted by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).
The 10 skill areas covered under the programme include: Subsea Engineering (wellheads, flowlines, umbilicals, subsea trees, etc.); Underwater Welding; Control and Automation Engineering (cementing, well controls, rig operations) and Helicopter Piloting.
Others are Seafaring and Marine Mechanics/Electrical Operations; Production and Maintenance Engineering (control room and maintenance crew); Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Engineering (NDT Levels 1–3); Geoscience Engineering (seismic, geophysics, wellsite geology) and Digitisation and Digitalisation (AI, machine learning, IoT, big data, cloud computing, drones)
Mr. Ogbe said the initiative aligns with Section 10(1b) of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, which mandates that Nigerians receive first consideration for training and employment in projects submitted under a Nigerian Content Plan.
The programme targets Nigerians under 35 years with OND, HND or BSc qualifications in Petroleum, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Civil, Gas, Welding and Metallurgy, Geology, Geophysics, Computer Science or related fields.
According to the NCDMB’s Director of Capacity Building, Mr. Bamidele Abayomi, the training will span two to three years and will be periodically reviewed to ensure continued relevance to industry needs.
He said participants will undergo classroom instruction, laboratory and workshop practicals, skills certification, and a minimum of six months of on-the-job training (OJT) in partnership with service companies.
“At least three service companies will partner with the Board for each skill area,” Mr. Abayomi noted, adding that soft skills training will be delivered by anchor trainers and OGTAN-registered institutions.
Graduates deemed “field-ready” will be added to the NCDMB’s national skills database for possible engagement by service and operating companies, in compliance with the NOGICD Act.
The Board said all trainees will receive pre-mobilisation medicals, monthly stipends, personal protective equipment (PPE), and insurance cover throughout the programme’s duration.
Mr. Ogbe reaffirmed the NCDMB’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians, saying the initiative would bridge technical gaps and strengthen local participation in Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape.
