NCDMB and Renaissance Launch Training for 300 Young Nigerians in Oil and Gas

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has teamed up with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited to kick off a special training program. This program aims to give 300 young Nigerians important skills in mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation engineering.

This initiative falls under the NCDMB, Renaissance Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Programme. It is designed to help young Nigerian graduates gain the technical and professional skills they need for careers in the oil and gas industry. The training will last for 12 months, starting with three months of classroom learning. After that, there will be nine months of hands-on training with partner service companies in the oil and gas sector. Out of the 300 trainees, 240 will be in Lagos and 60 in Port Harcourt.

At the launch event, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, said the program supports the Board’s goal of building local skills and increasing Nigerian involvement in the oil and gas sector. He mentioned that this initiative would create opportunities that boost economic growth.

He added that the trainees would gain real industry experience and earn certifications that are recognized worldwide. "This is more than the beginning of a training program. It is the start of a journey for young Nigerians who will gain world-class skills in mechanical, instrumentation, and electrical fields," he said.

Tari Bufazi, the Assistant Manager for Human Capacity Development, represented Ogbe at the event. He explained that specialized skills in automation, instrumentation, and engineering operations are vital for safely and effectively using Nigeria’s oil resources, especially with new investment projects coming up.

"Instrumentation, electrical, and mechanical engineering are key to the success, profitability, and safety of Nigeria's oil and gas sector. This training aims to fill existing gaps and prepare participants for what the industry needs," he stated.

He encouraged the trainees to take this chance seriously, calling it a platform that could help them become innovators and future leaders in the industry. Olarenwaju Lanre Olawuyi, General Manager at Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, shared that the company is dedicated to growing local skills and boosting Nigeria’s energy sector through smart investments in human capital.

Funso Alabi, who represented Olawuyi, explained that the program combines classroom teaching with hands-on training. Participants will gain practical knowledge in mechanical systems, electrical operations, instrumentation and control, software development, networking, and cybersecurity.

Alabi said this training would give participants both the technical and practical skills that employers want. "At Renaissance, we believe that developing local content must build real skills, enhance local expertise, and empower Nigerians to take charge," he noted.

He pointed out that the practical training would help connect what they learn in theory with what is needed in the workplace. "Success needs not only technical skills but also professionalism, integrity, teamwork, and a strong culture of safety," he told the trainees.

Ranti Omole, CEO of Radial Circle, the main training provider, called the program a unique opportunity for young Nigerians looking to build careers in the global energy sector. He mentioned that the selected participants came from a tough selection process involving thousands of applicants from the NCDMB database.

Omole said the goal of this program goes beyond just certification. He emphasized that it focuses on preparing industry-ready professionals who can contribute immediately in real working environments. "We are building skills and competence. By the end of this program, you should be ready to work in the field and fit into industry operations," he said.

He encouraged trainees to make the most of this opportunity through discipline, ongoing learning, and working together with colleagues from different regions. Stakeholders at the event noted that this initiative supports the goals of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act and the Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap. It aims to strengthen the local talent needed for growth in Nigeria’s energy sector.