By peace Udugba
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is set to train over 10,000 young Nigerians in high-demand oil skills. This initiative is in response to the surge in big-ticket investments and new projects in the Gulf of Guinea.
The program, known as the NCDMB Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Program, aims to equip the next generation of Nigerians with practical skills for top careers in the oil and gas industry.
The top 10 skills being focused on are:
– Sub-sea Engineers: responsible for wellheads, flowlines, umbilicals, and sub-sea trees
– Underwater Welders: skilled in welding and repair of underwater equipment
– Control and Automation Engineers: experts in cement
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to train over 10,000 young Nigerians in high-demand oil skills. This ambitious program is a direct response to the recent surge in big-ticket investments and new projects in the Gulf of Guinea, signaling a new era of growth and development in the region’s oil and gas industry.
The NCDMB Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Program is designed to equip the next generation of Nigerians with practical skills for top careers in the oil and gas sector. The program focuses on 10 critical skills that are essential for the industry’s success. These skills include sub-sea engineering, underwater welding, control and automation engineering, helicopter piloting, and geoscience engineering, among others.
According to Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, the program is a strategic move to close the skills gap in the industry and ensure that Nigerians are well-represented in the sector. “We are committed to developing the skills of Nigerians in the oil and gas industry,” he said. “This program will provide young Nigerians with the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this critical sector.”
The program will run for 2-3 years and will include a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory practicals, and on-the-job training. Participants will receive pre-mobilization medicals, monthly stipends, PPEs, and insurance coverage to ensure they are well-supported throughout the program.
To participate in the program, applicants must be under 35 years old and possess a relevant degree or diploma in fields such as petroleum, mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, gas, welding, and metallurgy. Interested individuals can create or update their profile on (link unavailable) and register for the program.
The NCDMB’s initiative is a welcome development for young Nigerians looking to build a career in the oil and gas industry. With the recent Final Investment Decision (FID) on the US$2 billion HI Field Gas Project and other major projects in the pipeline, the industry is poised for significant growth, and this program will play a critical role in developing the skills needed to drive this growth.
As Engr. Bamidele Abayomi, Director of Capacity Building at NCDMB, noted, “The skills gap closure program will be implemented over a two-to-three-year period, during which the gaps would be re-assessed to ascertain if the top 10 skills should be adjusted or continued.” With this program, NCDMB is taking a proactive approach to developing the skills of Nigerians in the oil and gas industry, ensuring that the country is well-positioned to benefit from the growth of the sector.
