To bridge critical skills gaps in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, the NLNG Train 7 Project has trained 70 professionals in a basic training programme, completing a one-year intensive training in Data Analysis and Supply Chain Management to boost the industry.

The programme, jointly sponsored by NLNG and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), was designed to produce industry-ready professionals capable of supporting the country’s growing energy sector.

Beyond their core areas of specialisation, the graduates received practical training in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Business Management, Information Technology, Document Management, Nigerian Content development, as well as on-the-job industrial exposure to equip them with the technical and workplace competencies required across the oil and gas value chain.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, described the successful completion of the 12-month programme as evidence of the impact of sustained investment in human capital development.

She said the graduates had been equipped with the knowledge, discipline and professional character needed to make meaningful contributions to the industry.

Project Director, NLNG Train 7 Project, Ali Uwais, said the initiative demonstrated the strength of the partnership between NLNG and the NCDMB in addressing competency gaps within the oil and gas sector.

According to him, the graduation of 70 participants in Batch 2 brings the total number of beneficiaries trained under the programme to 401 across the first and second batches.

Uwais also commended the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) for ensuring that the programme met the required industry training standards.

Representing the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, the Board’s General Manager, Human Capacity Development, Alexis Emelle, described the human capacity development component of the Train 7 Project as a practical demonstration of the implementation of the Nigerian Content Human Capital Development Guideline 2020.

She noted that the guideline requires major oil and gas projects to deliberately invest in the training, empowerment and capacity development of Nigerians.

According to Emelle, “The trainees gained hands-on experience on a live LNG project, complementing their academic knowledge. They were also exposed to specialised technical disciplines, project management, health and safety practices, and emerging technologies that are shaping the future of the industry,” she said.

The programme is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s pool of skilled professionals in technical, business and safety disciplines, while reinforcing NLNG’s commitment to human capital development and the NCDMB’s drive to deepen local content and build sustainable industry capacity.