The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and other industry stakeholders, has launched a 12-month technical training programme for 60 young Nigerians aimed at strengthening local expertise in the oil and gas industry.
The programme, hosted at Nigeria Machine Tools Limited in Osogbo, Osun State, is designed to equip participants with specialised engineering and industrial skills needed across the oil and gas value chain, while improving their prospects for employment and professional development.
The initiative is being implemented under the Nigerian Content Human Capacity Development (NC HCD) Training Programme for Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited’s EPU Phase 2 Gas Development Project.
The curriculum covers engineering design, fitter machining, conventional machine tool operations, programming, computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), electrical and mechanical maintenance, and document control.
Over the 12 months, participants will undergo six months of intensive classroom instruction, followed by six months of supervised on-the-job training with reputable companies. Successful graduates are expected to obtain internationally recognised certifications upon completion.
Speaking at the programme’s official launch, NCDMB Director of Capacity Building, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, represented by Mr. Tare Bufazi, Assistant Manager, Human Capacity Development, described the initiative as a strategic intervention to address technical manpower gaps and prepare Nigerians for greater participation in the oil and gas sector.
He disclosed that the 60 participants comprise 33 graduates and 27 vocational trainees, with the training tailored to meet industry requirements.
According to Bamidele, the Board’s responsibility extends beyond promoting local participation in the oil and gas industry to developing the technical expertise required to sustain operations, strengthen local content and support Nigeria’s industrialisation objectives.
He urged the trainees to demonstrate discipline, commitment and professionalism, stressing that the programme offers more than academic certificates by providing practical competence and industry experience that could support long-term careers.
Bamidele also acknowledged the contributions of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Seflam SGL and Nigeria Machine Tools Limited to the successful implementation of the initiative.
Speaking on behalf of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Mr. Richard Oyiborhor, Interface and Integration Manager for the NLNG Supply Project, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to developing Nigerian talent and strengthening indigenous technical capacity.
Oyiborhor commended the NCDMB for its role in advancing Nigerian content and described the collaboration with Seflam SGL and Nigeria Machine Tools as an important step towards building a skilled industrial workforce.
Mrs. Bisola Agboluaje, Senior Manager, Business Interface at Seflam SGL, congratulated the trainees and disclosed that the programme’s development dates back to 2024, when the NCDMB approved the training plans.
She described the initiative as a forward-looking investment in Nigeria’s technical workforce, noting the importance of equipping young people with specialised skills relevant to industry needs.
Nigeria Machine Tools Limited Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Obehi Ojeagha, welcomed the participants and highlighted the institution’s 46-year contribution to Nigeria’s industrial development.
She expressed confidence that the trainees would acquire the technical knowledge, discipline and practical experience required to contribute meaningfully to the oil and gas industry and the wider industrial sector.
The initiative underscores the role of collaboration between government institutions, energy companies and technical training providers in developing skilled Nigerian professionals, expanding local participation and building the workforce required to support the country’s industrial growth.
**The Press Nigeria — Accountability. Development. Public Interest.**
