The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in collaboration with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, has launched a one-year training programme aimed at preparing 300 young Nigerians for careers in the oil and gas industry.
The initiative is designed for graduates of mechanical, electrical and instrumentation engineering and combines classroom learning with practical industry experience. Participants will spend the first three months in intensive training before proceeding to nine months of hands-on placement with partner oil and gas service firms.
According to the organisers, 240 trainees will receive instruction in Lagos, while the remaining 60 will undergo training in Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the inauguration, NCDMB Executive Secretary, Felix Ogbe, represented by the Board’s Assistant Manager for Human Capacity Development, Tari Bufazi, said the programme reflects the agency’s commitment to developing skilled Nigerian professionals and increasing indigenous participation across the petroleum value chain.
He noted that the training would expose participants to practical industry operations while equipping them with internationally recognised certifications in key technical fields.
Ogbe stressed that expertise in mechanical, electrical and instrumentation engineering remains essential for the safe, efficient and profitable operation of the country’s oil and gas industry, particularly as new investments emerge. He urged the trainees to take full advantage of the opportunity and develop into professionals capable of driving innovation and growth in the sector.
Also speaking, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited’s General Manager for Nigerian Content Development, Olarenwaju Olawuyi, represented by Funso Alabi, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to strengthening local capacity through sustained investment in human capital.
He explained that the curriculum extends beyond core engineering disciplines to include software development, networking and cybersecurity, ensuring participants acquire skills that meet evolving industry needs. He also encouraged the trainees to uphold professionalism, teamwork, integrity and a strong safety culture throughout the programme.
The Chief Executive Officer of Radial Circle, the programme’s lead training provider, Ranti Omole, said the 300 beneficiaries were selected from thousands of applicants in the NCDMB database through a rigorous screening process.
Omole said the goal is to produce graduates who are ready to contribute immediately in operational environments by combining technical knowledge with practical workplace experience.
Stakeholders at the event noted that the initiative aligns with the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act and the Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap by expanding the pool of skilled professionals needed to support the country’s growing energy industry.
