The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in collaboration with Tommorow Africa Limited, has trained 200 young Nigerians under its Community-Based Oil and Gas Enterprise Development Programme, aimed at building entrepreneurial skills and strengthening local participation in the country’s oil and gas value chain.

The capacity-building programme was conducted in Abia State and Akwa Ibom State with 100 participants trained, including people with disabilities.

Beneficiaries were drawn from host communities and included young men and women, as well as persons with disabilities, reflecting the programme’s emphasis on inclusion and community development.

The initiative was designed to equip participants with the practical skills, industry knowledge and resources needed to establish sustainable enterprises and take advantage of opportunities within the oil and gas sector.

In a statement issued and made available to Journalists in Kaduna, the programme commenced with the training of youths in Abia State and attracted the participation of key government and industry stakeholders.

Representatives of the NCDMB participated in the programme, alongside Sarah Adaobi Ugochukwu, Director, Produce Department, who represented the Abia State Ministry of Trade and Commerce.

Oil and gas industry stakeholders, particularly members of marketers’ associations, also supported the programme and played a significant role during the participants’ field visits.

The field component provided beneficiaries with an opportunity to gain practical exposure to industry operations and interact with operators and other stakeholders across the oil and gas value chain.

Besides, in Akwa Ibom State, the programme received support from the state government, with the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources represented by the Director of the Petroleum Department, Anietie Emah.

According to the organisers, the Community-Based Oil and Gas Enterprise Development Programme seeks to bridge the gap between young people in host communities and the economic opportunities available within Nigeria’s energy industry.

The training focused on developing practical enterprise skills, creating business opportunities, encouraging innovative solutions to challenges facing host communities and promoting sustainable economic development.

Participants also received mentorship from industry experts, business development and entrepreneurship support, access to relevant networks and practical field experience.

The programme is expected to provide beneficiaries with a platform to transform viable ideas into businesses capable of contributing to job creation and local economic growth.

Eligibility for the programme was targeted at young people between the ages of 18 and 35, with a minimum educational qualification of SSCE, NECO or its equivalent.

The organisers said both male and female applicants were eligible, while female participation was particularly encouraged. Beneficiaries were also required to commit to completing the full training and field experience components of the programme.

The statement explained that the inclusion of persons with disabilities among the 200 participants was intended to broaden access to economic opportunities and ensure that disadvantaged groups were not excluded from skills acquisition and enterprise development initiatives.

The programme also aligns with efforts to strengthen indigenous capacity and increase community participation in opportunities associated with Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Beyond technical and entrepreneurial training, the initiative places emphasis on helping participants identify viable business opportunities, build sustainable enterprises and develop solutions to economic and social challenges within their communities.

With 100 youths trained in Abia State and another 100 in Akwa Ibom State, the organisers said the programme was designed to create a pool of young entrepreneurs who could apply their newly acquired knowledge and practical experience to businesses across the oil and gas value chain.

The partnership between NCDMB and Tommorow Africa Limited is also expected to contribute to stronger host communities by creating pathways for skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.

The organisers further stressed that “the broader objective is to empower communities, build local capacity and develop sustainable enterprises capable of contributing to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and the wider economy”.