In a significant move to boost local capacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) have launched the Advanced Human Capital Development (NC-HCD) training programme for 140 graduates. The initiative, tied to the $5 billion NLNG Train 7 Project, kicked off on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
The three-month intensive training marks the transition from classroom to field, as the graduates—drawn from various academic backgrounds—gear up for practical, on-the-job experience on Bonny Island, Rivers State.
According to the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the training is more than a milestone.
“It is an expression of our commitment to nurturing world-class Nigerian professionals who will shape the future of our oil and gas industry,” he said.
Represented by Mrs. Tarilate Teide-Bribena, NCDMB’s Manager of Human Capital Development, Ogbe noted that the Board and NLNG have already trained over 400 Nigerians in technical and vocational areas directly aligned with industry needs.
“We’re now formally launching the on-the-job component,” he added.
This advanced phase will see trainees participate in core operational areas such as Turn Around Maintenance (TAM), commissioning, and desktop operations. It builds on a prior 12-month foundational programme that began in 2024, training over 400 participants in areas such as engineering, HSE, ICT, welding, data analytics, and supply chain management.
Dr. Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development, described the collaboration as a reaffirmation of the company’s commitment to human capital development.
“The support of the NCDMB has enabled us to develop a strong, skilled workforce for Nigeria’s future,” she said, highlighting that the Train 7 Project is now 80 percent complete.
NLNG’s Nigerian Content Manager, Engr. Dagogo Buowari, urged the new trainees to remain focused as they prepare for deployment on June 16.
“Get organised, stay committed, and avoid distractions,” he advised.
The Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) was also praised for aligning training content with industry needs, ensuring that participants are ready to deliver value from day one.
The NLNG Train 7 Project, which reached Final Investment Decision in December 2019, is expected to significantly increase Nigeria’s LNG production capacity and drive long-term economic benefits.
