The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening workforce capacity, promoting skills development, and ensuring talent retention within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
This was highlighted during a courtesy visit by the leadership of OGTAN to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja recently a press statement by the NUPRC has disclosed.
Speaking during the engagement, the Commission Chief Executive (CCE), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan, emphasized the need to address the challenge of skills retention in the industry.
“We must also address the issue of skills retention. The industry continues to face talent migration. Structured career development programmes, mentorship initiatives, and succession planning frameworks are necessary to retain institutional knowledge and develop future leaders,” she stated.
Mrs. Eyesan further stressed that professional associations, trade unions, regulators, and training organizations all have critical roles to play in addressing workforce challenges.
“Rather than working in isolation, stakeholders must collaborate to develop common standards, share best practices, and create industry-wide solutions to workforce challenges. If we succeed in these efforts, we will not only strengthen our workforce but also enhance the competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability of the entire industry,” she added.
In his remarks, the National President of the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN), Mr. Chris Osarumwense, underscored the importance of aligning training programmes with industry requirements.
He noted that a critical step towards building a competent workforce is establishing a clear connection between training curricula and the competencies required across various industry roles.
“By identifying the specific competencies needed for various roles, training institutions can design curricula that are both practical and industry-focused. The emphasis should be on ensuring that learners acquire skills that can be directly applied in the workplace,” he said.
