The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced the launch of a nationwide digitalisation training programme that will equip 3,700 young Nigerians with the skills required to thrive in today’s technology-driven economy. The initiative, known as the NCDMB Digitalisation Initiative (NDI), is part of the Board’s mandate to build local capacity and ensure Nigerian youth remain relevant in industries undergoing rapid transformation.

According to the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the oil and gas industry and its linkages are already being reshaped by advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Robotics, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Drones, and Blockchain-based data exchange. 

He explained that the adoption of these tools is helping companies improve productivity, cut costs, and operate in ways that reduce carbon emissions. The move towards digitalisation, he noted, has also enabled remote operations, leaner structures, smarter facility management, and automated business processes.

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Ogbe reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to preparing Nigerians for the emerging oil and gas landscape, stressing that the training would not only benefit the industry but also strengthen the wider economy by producing a pool of digitally skilled professionals. “If our young people are to remain competitive, they must master these technologies. This programme is a deliberate effort to close the skills gap and position them for opportunities that are increasingly digital,” he said.

The Director of Corporate Services at NCDMB, Dr Abdulmalik Halilu, added that the programme is specifically designed for Nigerians under the age of 35 and is strategically focused on high-impact areas that generate rapid value while ensuring long-term sustainability.

He explained that the training would run for three years, reaching participants across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Beneficiaries will gain exposure to digital tools and be guided in designing and developing solutions that are relevant to the market.

The pilot phase of the training will involve 100 candidates who will be selected through the NOGIC JQS portal, the Nigerian oil and gas industry’s official database for human and material capacities. Applicants will undergo a pre-selection test scheduled to take place across the six geopolitical zones, beginning in Umuahia on September 30, Warri on October 3, Lagos and Kaduna on October 6, and continuing in Taraba and Minna on October 9.

By creating pathways for 3,700 youths to participate in the digital economy, the NCDMB believes the initiative will ease the pressures of unemployment and underemployment while preparing the next generation for critical roles in Nigeria’s oil and gas supply chain and beyond.

Meiza Nigeria