NCDMB, Renaissance launch oil and gas training for 300 graduates
One-year programme combines classroom learning with industry placements to prepare young Nigerians for technical careers in the energy sector.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited have launched a new skills development programme aimed at preparing 300 young Nigerians for careers in the oil and gas industry, as efforts to strengthen the sector’s local talent pipeline gather pace.
The 12-month Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Programme will provide specialised training in mechanical, electrical and instrumentation engineering, combining classroom instruction with practical industry experience to equip participants with skills sought by employers.
Under the programme, trainees will spend the first three months in intensive classroom sessions before moving into nine months of on-the-job training with partner oil and gas service companies. Of the 300 successful participants, 240 will train in Lagos while 60 will undergo the programme in Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the launch, NCDMB Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the initiative forms part of the Board’s wider strategy to deepen Nigerian participation in the petroleum industry by developing a workforce capable of meeting evolving technical demands.
Represented by the Board’s Assistant Manager for Human Capacity Development, Tari Bufazi, Ogbe said the programme is designed to produce graduates who are ready to contribute immediately to industry operations.
“This is more than the commencement of a training programme. It is the beginning of a journey for young Nigerians who will acquire world-class skills in mechanical, instrumentation and electrical disciplines,” he said.
According to him, demand for specialised expertise in automation, instrumentation and engineering operations is expected to grow as new investments enter Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
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He noted that mechanical, electrical and instrumentation engineering remain critical to the safe, efficient and profitable operation of petroleum assets, adding that the training seeks to bridge existing skills gaps while improving the availability of qualified Nigerian professionals.
Participants will also have the opportunity to earn internationally recognised professional certifications alongside practical workplace experience.
Renaissance Africa Energy Company said the initiative reflects its commitment to building indigenous capacity and ensuring more Nigerians occupy skilled technical positions within the energy industry.
The company’s General Manager for Nigerian Content Development, Olarenwaju Lanre Olawuyi, represented by Funso Alabi, said the curriculum extends beyond conventional engineering training to include software development, networking and cybersecurity, alongside mechanical systems, electrical operations and instrumentation.
He said combining technical instruction with extended workplace placements would help close the gap between academic learning and industry expectations.
“At Renaissance, we believe local content development must create real capability, strengthen indigenous expertise and empower Nigerians to lead,” he said.
Alabi also urged participants to embrace professionalism, teamwork, integrity and a strong safety culture, describing them as qualities increasingly valued across the global energy industry.
Chief Executive Officer of Radial Circle, the programme’s lead training provider, Ranti Omole, disclosed that beneficiaries were selected through a competitive process involving thousands of applicants from the NCDMB database.
According to him, the programme is designed to produce professionals who can integrate seamlessly into operational roles immediately after completion rather than simply awarding certificates.
“We are building competence and skills. By the time you complete this programme, you should be field-ready and able to fit seamlessly into industry operations,” he said.
He encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity through discipline, continuous learning and collaboration throughout the training.
The initiative supports the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act and aligns with the Nigerian Content 10 Year Strategic Roadmap, which prioritises human capital development as part of efforts to strengthen local participation and reduce reliance on expatriate expertise in Nigeria’s energy industry.
