NCDMB, NLNG celebrate Train 7 milestone as project creates 16,000 jobs
With commissioning targeted for 2027, the project has already generated 16,000 direct jobs and expanded opportunities for Nigerian businesses.
Nigeria’s biggest gas expansion project is entering its final stretch, with NLNG confirming that construction of its Train 7 facility has reached 90 per cent completion and is on track for commissioning in 2027.
Beyond the construction milestone, the project is increasingly being viewed as a test of how large-scale energy investments can drive local economic growth, create jobs and strengthen indigenous participation across Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The progress update emerged during a meeting between the leadership of NLNG and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, where both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to expanding local content and increasing the value retained within the Nigerian economy.
Speaking during the visit, NLNG’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Adeleye Falade said pre-commissioning activities have already commenced on the project, bringing the company closer to a major expansion of its gas processing capacity.
Once completed, Train 7 is expected to increase NLNG’s overall production capacity by 35 per cent, strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global liquefied natural gas market at a time when demand for cleaner energy sources continues to grow.
For Nigeria, however, the significance of the project extends beyond exports.
Falade disclosed that Train 7 has already generated direct employment for about 16,000 people during construction, providing economic opportunities for workers and contractors while supporting livelihoods in host communities and surrounding areas.
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The employment impact is particularly notable given the growing focus on how major energy projects can contribute to broader economic development beyond revenue generation.
Industry stakeholders have long argued that the true value of Nigeria’s oil and gas resources lies not only in production but also in the ability to create jobs, develop local expertise and build domestic industrial capacity.
Falade said NLNG remains committed to increasing indigenous participation across its operations and ensuring that more value generated from Nigeria’s gas resources remains within the country.
According to him, the company will continue to prioritise local supplier development, skills enhancement, technology transfer and increased participation of Nigerian businesses throughout its value chain.
“NLNG values its relationship with NCDMB and remains fully committed to the shared goal of strengthening Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry,” he said.
The collaboration between both organisations has become one of the key drivers of local content development in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Over the years, NLNG and NCDMB have worked together on several initiatives aimed at improving local participation, developing technical capabilities and creating opportunities for Nigerian companies within the industry.
Responding during the meeting, NCDMB Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe described the relationship between both institutions as one that goes beyond the traditional regulator-operator arrangement.
He recalled that both organisations signed a landmark Service Level Agreement in 2017 to streamline Nigerian content approvals and compliance processes, a framework that later became a reference point for other operators across the industry.
Ogbe also urged NLNG to strengthen support for the Brass Shipyard project, a strategic capacity development initiative linked to Train 7.
The proposed facility is expected to establish a drydock capable of supporting vessel maintenance and other marine services within Nigeria, reducing dependence on foreign facilities while creating new opportunities for local businesses and skilled workers.
For advocates of local content development, projects such as Train 7 and the Brass Shipyard represent a broader shift in how the oil and gas sector contributes to the economy.
Rather than focusing solely on resource extraction, policymakers are increasingly seeking investments that stimulate industrial growth, encourage knowledge transfer and create sustainable employment opportunities.
